How to choose the right VAPT provider in India
If you’re a growing business in India from a SaaS startup to a fintech platform the question isn’t if you need a VAPT, but who you trust to perform it.
Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) is no longer optional; it’s a mandatory step for achieving compliance with ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI DSS, or SEBI CSCRF. Choosing the wrong VAPT provider can result in incomplete security, failed audits, and wasted resources.
A reliable VAPT Provider in India becomes a trusted security ally, not just a vendor. Here is a simplified, actionable guide to help you make the right decision.
6 Critical Factors When Selecting a VAPT PartnerÂ
1. Local & Global Compliance Expertise (CERT-In, RBI, SOC 2)
For an Indian business, compliance is often the driving force. Your provider must deeply understand the local and international frameworks relevant to your operations.Â
- CERT-In Empanelment: Essential for entities regulated by the RBI or SEBI, and mandatory for government-linked projects. This verifies the firm’s technical and ethical standards as per the Government of India.Â
- Fintech & NBFCs: They must be current with the SEBI CSCRF and specific RBI Cyber Security Guidelines.
- Global SaaS: Expertise in mapping VAPT findings directly to controls required by ISO 27001 and SOC 2 is crucial for securing enterprise clients. Â
- Healthtech/Payments: Proven track record in HIPAA or PCI DSS assessments, where reporting is highly standardized.Â
2. Testing Depth: The Right Methodology Â
A quick automated scan is never enough. The best VAPT providers use a layered approach that reflects real-world attack strategies.Â
- Black-box Testing: Simulates a pure external attacker with zero access. Good for testing perimeter defenses (firewall, web servers).Â
- White-box Testing: Simulates an insider or thorough review, with full access to source code, infrastructure, and configuration files. This is the deepest, most comprehensive test.Â
- Hybrid (Grey-box) Testing: The most practical approach for most applications. The tester gets limited access (e.g., a standard user account) to simulate common privilege escalation and authenticated attacks.Â
Key Ask: Ensure your provider customizes the scope using a Hybrid approach tailored to your specific system architecture (e.g., API, mobile, or cloud infrastructure).Â
3. Actionable Report Quality & Clarity Â
The report must be both technically useful for developers and professionally ready for auditors and clients. Skip the generic PDFs.Â
- For Developers: The report must include clear Screenshots or Logs (Proof of Concept), a step-by-step method to reproduce the exploit, and practical, code-level remediation steps.Â
- For Management/Auditors: Findings must be prioritized using a CVSS score or high/medium/low risk rating. The report needs an easily digestible Executive Summary and a clear Compliance Mapping section.Â
4. Post-VAPT Support & Re-testingÂ
The VAPT process isn’t over when the report lands. The partner must ensure you can actually fix the issues and pass subsequent compliance checks.Â
- Developer Support: Ask if they offer handholding sessions to walk your engineering team through the vulnerabilities.Â
- Complimentary Re-testing: A non-negotiable factor. Re-testing is required to confirm patches are effective and to issue the final VAPT certificate/Letter of Attestation (LoA).Â
- Audit-Ready Assistance: Look for a partner who offers support to address any follow-up questions from your ISO 27001 or SOC 2 auditor.Â
5. Team Credibility and CertificationsÂ
Don’t rely solely on the company’s brand name. Look at the credentials of the security experts who will be testing your system.Â
- Security Certifications: Look for experts holding advanced certifications like OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional), CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), or relevant ISO 27001 Auditor credentials.Â
- Technical Stack: Verify their experience with your specific cloud environment (AWS, Azure, GCP) and development framework.Â
6. Agility, Timeline, and ValueÂ
Startups and fast-paced businesses need a partner who can match their velocity.Â
- Turnaround Time (TAT): Get a committed timeline for the start of the project and the delivery of the final report.Â
- Flexibility: Can they quickly adjust the scope mid-project if a new feature is deployed?Â
- Value over Cost: While competitive pricing is important, prioritizing a cheap, automated scan over a deep, manual penetration test is a false economy that puts your entire business at risk of a failed audit or a breach.Â
By focusing on these six factors, especially their experience with Indian regulations, you can secure a VAPT partner that truly helps protect your digital assets and accelerates your compliance journey.Â
