Penetration testing done right
Leave the limits of traditional testing behind to meet compliance goals and reduce risk and security vulnerabilities faster
Pen testing that actually reduces risk
Status-quo penetration testing (“pen test”) options are cumbersome consulting projects that take weeks or months to deliver a noisy report. Instead, the Bugcrowd Platform‘s modern Pen Testing as a Service (PTaaS) delivers actionable results for compliance and risk reduction at the speed of digital business.
Launch standard or customized testing in less than 72 hours with a pentester team designed for your needs, tap endless capacity for testing at scale as a subscription, and see prioritized findings 24/7 in a rich dashboard.
More speed & scale
Launch in less than 72 hours with prioritized vulnerabilities flowing directly into existing DevSec tools and processes for fast remediation. Easily repeat tests at scale and organize and manage them all through the Bugcrowd Platform.
More impact
Meet compliance goals (PCI, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001) and surpass them when needed. Our platform activates trusted, expert penetration testers for your needs from an elastic bench to find more critical vulns than traditional testing.
More agility
We’ll propose a scope that fits your needs and assets exactly for your penetration test strategies. For external web apps and networks, buy and configure pen tests directly or via AWS Marketplace.
More transparency
View timelines, prioritized findings, analytics, and penetration tester progress through the methodology checklist 24/7 in the Bugcrowd Platform’s rich Penetration Testing Dashboard.
See PTaaS in action
Key benefits of penetration testing through Bugcrowd
- Continuous security management
Moves from point-in-time snapshots to ongoing security oversight for earlier visibility into risk and faster mitigation of exploitable issues - Increased efficiency
Combines automated and human testing to be more efficient, reduce costs, and allow security teams to scale their efforts without expanding their infrastructure - Faster, more informed remediation
Enables faster identification and real-time remediation guidance by integrating intelligence-led risk prioritization directly into existing systems and workflows - Enhanced collaboration
Creates constant communication channels between in-house security teams and testers, leading to quicker resolution of security issues - Compliance adherence
Helps organizations meet strict compliance requirements by providing a structured, traceable, and regular security testing program
A pen test offering for everyone
STANDARD
Zero-complexity testing
for compliance
External Web Apps/Networks, APIs, Mobile Apps, Cloud
Includes:
- Launch within 3 business days
- Platform-generated report
- PTaaS Dashboard
- Integration with SDLC
- 12 months of retesting (with 1 report update) for Web Apps, Networks, and APIs
PLUS
Customized testing for
bespoke requirements
Ext/Int Web Apps/Networks, APIs, Mobile Apps, Cloud
Everything in Standard +
- Custom scoping and report
- Special pentester requirements: Geolocation/testing time restrictions, special skill sets, CREST certification, etc.
- 12 months of retesting (with 1 report update) for all asset types
- Advanced Targets (IoT/Hardware, Crypto, Binary, OT. Onsite Testing) at extra cost
MAX
Maximum risk reduction
delivered continuously
Ext/Int Web Apps/Networks, APIs, Mobile Apps, Cloud
Everything in Plus +
- Choice of continuous or on-demand testing
- Methodology-driven pen testing for coverage combined with bug bounty for discovery
Why do companies choose Bugcrowd for pen testing?
Companies choose Bugcrowd because it modernizes penetration testing from a slow, point-in-time consulting engagement into a faster, more transparent, and more scalable security testing program. With Bugcrowd PTaaS, teams can launch standard or customized tests quickly, work with curated pentester teams matched to their environment, view prioritized findings in real time, and use reporting built for compliance and remediation workflows.
Hybrid approach
PTaaS uses both automated scanners to find common vulnerabilities and experienced human testers for in-depth manual assessments that automated tools often miss
Cloud-based platform
A centralized platform provides real-time visibility into testing activity and risk, enabling teams to manage testing, monitor progress, and collaborate directly with testers
Continuous and on-demand
Instead of annual assessments, organizations can schedule tests as needed or on a regular schedule to anticipate emerging issues as environments and development cycles evolve
Integrated reporting
PTaaS platforms provide curated findings, clear documentation, and often allow for customized reports to meet compliance needs
See penetration test results as they happen
Never be in the dark about your pen test results again. View prioritized findings, action items, analytics, and pentester progress 24/7 in a rich dashboard, and communicate with the pentester directly when needed. When ready, your final report (see sample for Standard pen test – Web App) is available for download from the same dashboard.
The penetration testers you deserve
Other pen test providers take a cookie-cutter approach to pen testing regardless of your specific assets, environment, or needs–virtually guaranteeing low-impact results. Instead, our platform’s CrowdMatchTM AI technology curates qualified, engaged teams for your precise requirements (and rotates testers whenever needed), bringing high-quality results that have earned us global CREST accreditation for pen testing.
Reduce risk faster
Sometimes, the “pay for effort” approach in security strategies won’t deliver the results you want, particularly when risk reduction is the main goal. So, in addition to flat-rate pen test solutions, we offer a “pay for impact” incentivized testing model in which elite pentesters are rewarded based on results, with up to hundreds of eyes on your targets. For many customers, this approach provides maximum risk reduction.
Insights for continuous improvement
The Bugcrowd Platform™ includes a rich security knowledge graph containing millions of data points about security issues, vulnerabilities, assets, environments, and skill sets developed over a decade of building customer solutions. These comprehensive reports enable dynamic, contextual workflows, AI-powered tools like CrowdMatch™, and rich analytics, reports, and recommendations to help you continuously monitor KPIs and improve your security posture.
Pen Test Products
Optimized for today’s most demanding cybersecurity requirements
Network
Penetration Testing
Web Application
Penetration Testing
API
Penetration Testing
Cloud
Penetration Testing
Mobile
Penetration Testing
IoT
Penetration Testing
Social Engineering
Penetration Testing
AI
Penetration Testing
Continuous Attack Surface
Penetration Testing
Penetration Testing FAQs
What is penetration testing?
Penetration testing, often referred to as “pen testing,” is a simulated cyberattack carried out by an authorized third party (or pen tester) to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in your systems, networks, or applications—before real attackers can.
Why is penetration testing important?
It helps organizations identify security weaknesses before malicious hackers can exploit them, ensuring better protection of sensitive data and compliance with security standards. It also provides valuable insights for improving your overall security posture.
How often should penetration testing be conducted?
The frequency of penetration testing depends on your organization’s internal policies, risk profile, or regulatory requirements. Many industry standards require testing at least once a year, and many organizations also test after major system changes or product launches to stay ahead of potential threats and remain compliant.
What are the different types of penetration testing?
There are many different types of pen testing, including network pen testing, web application pen testing, mobile application pen testing, cloud pen testing, API pen testing, AI pen testing, IoT pen testing, social engineering pen testing, and continuous attack surface pen testing.
What should be included in the scope of a pen test?
The scope should define which systems, applications, APIs, cloud environments, and networks will be tested to match your risk profile and compliance needs.
What is Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS)?
PTaaS is a modern approach that delivers faster, more flexible pen testing through the cloud. It combines expert human testers with real-time dashboards and DevOps integrations, allowing security teams to launch tests quickly, track progress live, and fix issues faster than traditional methods.
What is the difference between black box, white box, and gray box testing?
Black box testing has no prior knowledge of the system; white box testing has full knowledge, including source code access; gray box testing combines elements of both, with partial knowledge.
Who performs penetration testing?
Certified professionals known as penetration testers or ethical hackers conduct penetration testing, often holding certifications such as CEH, OSCP, or CISSP.
What is included in a penetration testing report?
A typical report includes an executive summary, identified vulnerabilities, risk assessments, detailed findings, and recommended remediation steps.
What are the common tools used in penetration testing?
Tools include Metasploit, Nmap, Burp Suite, Wireshark, Nessus, and OWASP ZAP among others.
What are the benefits of using Bugcrowd for penetration testing?
Benefits include access to skilled penetration testers, scalable security testing, paying only for valid findings, and enhancing security posture through diverse testing.
How is pen testing different from a bug bounty program?
Pen testing is time-boxed, scoped, and led by a defined group of testers. Bug bounty programs are ongoing, open to a broader group, and use a pay-for-results model to find emergent vulnerabilities.
What types of vulnerabilities are typically reported on Bugcrowd?
Common vulnerabilities include Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), SQL Injection, Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF), and Authentication Bypass.
Can small businesses use Bugcrowd as a pen testing tool effectively?
Yes, Bugcrowd offers flexible options that can be tailored to the scale and needs of small businesses, providing efficient vulnerability discovery and mitigation.
What’s the difference between crowdsourced pen testing and traditional pen testing?
Traditional pen testing uses a small team on a fixed schedule, often with limited skills and delayed results. Crowdsourced pen testing taps into a global pool of vetted hackers, providing broader coverage, faster findings, and a pay-for-results model that rewards impact—not just time spent.
How does pen testing support compliance?
Penetration testing helps meet compliance requirements like PCI-DSS, SOC 2, HIPAA, and ISO 27001 by identifying security gaps and providing audit-ready reports. It validates your controls and shows regulators that you’re actively managing risk and protecting sensitive data.
How does Bugcrowd select and vet its testers?
Bugcrowd rigorously vets all testers through identity verification, skills assessments, and performance reviews to ensure trusted, high-quality results.