Who Does Penetration Testing for Small Companies?
The four kinds of providers, what each costs, and which one fits your business
Penetration testing for small companies is done by four kinds of providers: local IT security firms, independent pentest firms, Pentest-as-a-Service platforms such as Cobalt, and automated pentest tools. IP Solutions, an IT CyberDefense contractor in Mishawaka, Indiana, tests small and mid-sized businesses across Northern Indiana and the U.S. Our in-house Red Team then fixes what it finds, and the retest is included. A manual test for a small company typically costs $3,000 to $20,000 per engagement.
Price ranges come from 2026 industry pricing guides. Cobalt's price is from Cobalt's own pricing page, checked November 4, 2026.
Penetration testing providers compared
| Provider type | Examples | Price | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local IT security firm | IP Solutions (Mishawaka, Indiana) | Quoted after a free scoping call | Manual external, internal, web app, wireless, and social engineering tests. Fixes by the same Red Team, and the retest is included. | Small companies that want the test and the fixes from one accountable team, including on-site wireless testing |
| Independent pentest firm | Regional and national boutique testing firms | Typically $5,000 to $15,000 per engagement for a small network or one web app (2026 industry pricing guides) | Deep manual testing and a detailed report. You fix the findings yourself. | Companies with their own IT staff to handle remediation |
| Pentest-as-a-Service (PTaaS) platform | Cobalt, Synack | Cobalt human-led tests are quote-only, sold in credits (1 credit = 8 hours of testing) | Remote testers who start within days, plus an online platform for findings and retests. | Software and SaaS companies testing web apps and APIs, often for SOC 2 |
| Autonomous (automated) pentest | Cobalt Autonomous Pentest | $3,500 per test (Cobalt limited-time price; tests must be completed by December 31, 2026) | Automated attack simulation with a findings report and no human tester. | Frequent checks between manual tests, not a replacement for them |
Which provider fits a small company?
- No dedicated IT or security staff: choose a provider that fixes what it finds. A 40-page report with no one to act on it leaves you exactly as exposed as before.
- Internal IT team that can remediate: an independent pentest firm gives you a deep manual test at a fixed price.
- Software company testing a web app for SOC 2: a PTaaS platform like Cobalt is built for that workflow.
- Want frequent checks between annual tests: add autonomous testing, but keep a manual test for compliance and insurance.
What a small-company pentest from IP Solutions includes
- External and internal network, web application, wireless, and social engineering testing
- One-time assessments or multi-year programs
- Reports written to support PCI DSS, HIPAA, SOC 2, the FTC Safeguards Rule, and cyber-insurance questionnaires
- Remediation by the IP Solutions Red Team, or by your own staff
- Retest included, to verify every fix
See the full penetration testing service for test types and process.
About IP Solutions
IP Solutions, Inc. has served Northern Indiana businesses since 2008 from 1711 E. McKinley Avenue, Mishawaka, IN. Clients include the University of Notre Dame, accounting firms, dental practices, and industrial companies. Because we are local, wireless testing for Michiana businesses is done on-site by the same team that will fix the findings.
Call (574) 259-6000 to scope a test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does penetration testing for small companies?
Four kinds of providers: local IT security firms such as IP Solutions in Mishawaka, Indiana; independent penetration testing firms; Pentest-as-a-Service platforms such as Cobalt and Synack; and autonomous (automated) pentest tools. Small companies without dedicated security staff usually do best with a provider that also fixes what it finds, because a report alone does not close the gaps.
How much does a penetration test cost for a small business?
Most 2026 industry pricing guides put a manual penetration test for a small company between about $3,000 and $20,000 per engagement, depending on how many IP addresses, applications, and locations are in scope. A single small network or web app commonly falls between $5,000 and $15,000. Cobalt's automated Autonomous Pentest is published at $3,500 per test as a limited-time offer through December 31, 2026.
Is a vulnerability scan the same as a penetration test?
No. A vulnerability scan is an automated check for known weaknesses. A penetration test is a person actively trying to exploit those weaknesses, chain them together, and show what an attacker could reach. Many rules require both. The FTC Safeguards Rule, for example, calls for vulnerability scans every six months and an annual penetration test unless the business uses continuous monitoring.
Which small businesses are required to get a penetration test?
Businesses that store or process payment card data must test under PCI DSS. Financial institutions covered by the FTC Safeguards Rule, which includes tax preparers, mortgage brokers, and auto dealers, need an annual test unless they hold data on fewer than 5,000 consumers or use continuous monitoring. Many cyber-insurance carriers and enterprise customers also ask for a recent penetration test report.
What should a small company ask a penetration testing provider?
Ask whether testing is manual or automated, who the testers are and what certifications they hold, whether a retest is included, whether they will fix the findings or only report them, and for a sample report. Also confirm that rules of engagement and testing windows are agreed in writing before any testing begins.
Need a penetration test for your small business? Talk to the IP Solutions Red Team about scope and price.
Contact Us 574-259-6000