You need a PCI DSS penetration test, and you need it now. But traditional firms hit you with huge quotes and timelines that stretch for months, leaving you stuck between a compliance deadline and a tight budget. We get it, and we do things differently.

What Is A PCI DSS Penetration Test

A PCI DSS penetration test is just a simulated cyberattack on your systems. The goal is to find out if a real attacker could break in and steal credit card data. This is a mandatory security audit to find and fix holes before they become a real data breach. It's not just a simple vulnerability scan, which is an automated check. A real penetration test is a hands-on effort by our OSCP, CEH, and CREST certified ethical hackers. They think like attackers to find risks that automated tools miss, which is exactly what auditors want to see.

How To Meet PCI DSS 4.0 Requirements

Auditors need proof that you've done a thorough security audit. With PCI DSS version 4.0 becoming mandatory on March 31, 2025, the rules are stricter. The new standard requires a more customized, risk-focused approach to testing. You have to document your methodology and prove you tested for attacks from both outside and inside your network. This includes specific tests for your network, applications, and segmentation controls. A failed segmentation test is an automatic compliance failure, so getting this right is non-negotiable.

Why Old Pentesting Models Are Too Slow

If you've dealt with large cybersecurity firms, you know the drill. You wait weeks for a quote, only to get a five-figure price tag for a simple test. The whole process is a black box with slow communication, and the final report is often just a generic printout from a scanner. This old-school model is broken. It doesn't work for modern businesses that need to move fast and stick to a budget. We offer affordable penetration testing without the bloat.

The High Cost of Big Firm Inefficiency

The biggest problem with traditional penetration testing services is the price. You are not just paying for a pentester. You are paying for their sales team, project managers, and massive corporate overhead. This is why a simple security audit can easily cost over $15,000. For small businesses, startups, and MSPs, this model is a nightmare. MSPs looking for a better partner for their clients can see how our direct model provides more value at msppentesting.com.

How We Deliver Fast and Affordable Pentests

We cut out the bureaucracy. Our model is built for speed and value. You work directly with our OSCP, CEH, and CREST certified testers from start to finish. There are no salespeople or project managers to slow things down or inflate costs. This direct-to-expert model means we deliver high-quality, affordable penetration testing. We provide a clear, actionable report that helps you meet PCI DSS requirements quickly, often for a fraction of what big firms charge.

How to Define Scope And Control Pentest Pricing

When it comes to penetration testing pricing, one word matters most: scope. Getting your scope wrong is the fastest way to overpay. Your scope is everything that stores, processes, or transmits cardholder data, also known as your Cardholder Data Environment (CDE). If your scope is too broad, you pay us to test systems that do not matter for PCI compliance. If it is too narrow, you fail your audit. We help you define it perfectly so you get an accurate quote with no surprises.

Using Network Segmentation To Lower Costs

Once you map your CDE, the next move is to make it as small as possible using network segmentation. Think of it like building a digital vault around your sensitive data. By using firewalls to wall off the CDE from the rest of your business network, you shrink the number of systems that need testing. A smaller scope means a lower price and a faster test. This one step routinely saves our clients thousands of dollars on their compliance testing. An auditor will specifically check that your CDE is properly isolated.

Internal vs External Pentesting Requirements

PCI DSS requires two main types of tests: external and internal. You must do both. External penetration testing simulates an attack from the internet, where we act like remote hackers trying to break through your firewalls. Internal penetration testing simulates an attack from inside your network, like a disgruntled employee or a stolen password. Understanding the difference is crucial. A real penetration test is not a simple vulnerability scan. For a deeper dive, read our guide on vulnerability assessment vs. penetration testing.

Our Simple PCI DSS Pentesting Methodology

A real PCI DSS penetration test is not about running a scanner. It demands a documented methodology that mimics a real attacker. We skip the inefficient "black-box" approach and use a grey-box method. You give us the basic map, and our certified testers get straight to work finding the vulnerabilities that actually put your cardholder data at risk. This includes comprehensive external, internal, and application security testing. We also perform critical segmentation testing to prove your CDE is properly isolated, which is a key focus for auditors.

Get A Clear and Actionable Pentest Report

The final report is the most important part of the PCI DSS penetration test. It is the proof you give your auditor. Forget confusing, 100-page documents. We get straight to the point. Our reports include an executive summary for leadership and detailed technical findings with step-by-step remediation guidance for your IT team. We prioritize fixes based on real risk, so you know exactly what to tackle first. We don't just point out problems; we show you how to fix them.

Free Retesting Is Included For Compliance

Our job is not done when we deliver the report. After your team applies the fixes, we come back and retest the specific vulnerabilities we found at no extra cost. This is a crucial step that overpriced firms charge extra for. This free retest gives you the final proof your auditor needs to see that you not only found your security gaps but successfully closed them. Ready to see what a clear, actionable report looks like? Contact us through our form for a sample.

How We Make PCI Pentesting Affordable

Getting a PCI DSS penetration test should not be a massive financial hit. Our entire model is built for efficiency. The secret to our affordability is simple: we have no expensive overhead. You work directly with our expert pentesters, not layers of salespeople and project managers. Our PCI DSS penetration tests start at just $4,999, a price bigger firms cannot touch. This clear pentest pricing means you know your cost upfront.

Fast Pentesting For Urgent SOC 2 Deadlines

We get it, compliance deadlines are not suggestions. When you need urgent penetration testing, waiting weeks for a quote is not an option. Our streamlined process is designed for speed. We can typically start a fast penetration testing engagement within a week. You get your final, compliance-ready report just days after testing is done, not weeks later. This speed and affordability also help companies needing to satisfy SOC 2 penetration testing requirements, HIPAA, or ISO 27001.

Certified Experts Without The High Markup

Do not mistake "affordable" for "less experienced." Our team holds top certifications like OSCP, CEH, and CREST. You get the same level of expertise as a massive consulting firm, but you are not paying for their fancy offices. Our goal is to make compliance testing accessible. If you need a fast, no-nonsense PCI DSS pentest from certified experts, just get in touch. We will show you how simple and affordable compliance can be.

How Often Is A PCI Pentest Required

PCI DSS requires an external and internal penetration test at least once a year. It is also required after any "significant change" to your environment. This could be deploying a new application, a major network upgrade, or adding a new server to your CDE. A common mistake is thinking the annual test is all you need. Any change to your infrastructure should trigger a review to ensure you have not opened a new security hole.

What If We Fail The Penetration Test

"Failing" is the wrong way to think about it. The purpose of a security audit is to find weak spots before an attacker does. Finding vulnerabilities means the test is working. When we find critical issues, our report gives you a clear roadmap to fix them. After you handle remediation, we perform a retest on those specific fixes at no extra cost. This provides the proof your auditor needs to see that the risks have been properly addressed, helping you achieve compliance.

Ready to get your PCI DSS penetration test done without the high costs and long waits? Affordable Pentesting delivers fast, certified, and compliance-ready reports that auditors trust.

Get your free, no-obligation quote from our contact form today!