areena gIndia recorded 265 million cyberattacks in 2025 across enterprises, and behind most of those incidents lay a vulnerability that existed long before any attacker arrived.
Organisations that do not proactively test their defences are taking a business risk. Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) is how organisations find their own vulnerabilities before attackers do.
But the quality of VAPT providers in India varies enormously, from automated-scan-only vendors who miss the most dangerous vulnerabilities, to rigorously certified teams who simulate real-world attacker behaviour end to end.
This guide ranks the top 10 VAPT companies in India, evaluated against the criteria that actually determine outcome quality, such as CERT-In empanelment.
Why CERT-In Empanelment is the Only Quality Standard That Matters
CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) is India’s national nodal cybersecurity agency under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
It empanels organisations qualified to conduct information security audits and VAPT, and this empanelment is the closest India has to an official government-backed quality standard for cybersecurity testing vendors.
As of 2025, approximately 200 companies are CERT-In empanelled. To earn and maintain empanelment, companies must demonstrate certified professionals (OSCP, CEH, CISSP, CREST or equivalent), methodology alignment with OWASP, NIST, or ISO 27001, CVSS-scored reporting with business impact analysis, and coverage across web, mobile, API, cloud, IoT, and OT/ICS environments.
Top 10 VAPT Companies in India: At a Glance
| # | Company | CERT-In | Key Strength | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mitigata | Yes | VAPT + compliance consulting + cyber insurance advisory in India | All business sizes; insurance-linked security |
| 2 | Astra Security | Yes | 10,000+ checks + verifiable VAPT certificate | SaaS, fintech, e-commerce, SMEs |
| 3 | eSec Forte | Yes + PCI QSA | CMMi L3 + PCI QSA | Large enterprise, BFSI, government |
| 4 | Indusface WAS | Yes | WAF virtual patching bridges remediation gap | Banking, insurance, e-commerce |
| 5 | Qualysec | Yes | IoT, AI/ML and blockchain VAPT specialists | Startups, fintech, IoT/Web3 products |
| 6 | Kratikal | Yes | VAPT + compliance consulting combined | Mid-market, ISO 27001 / SOC 2 prep |
| 7 | SecureLayer7 | Yes | Purple teaming + DevSecOps integration | Cloud-native, DevOps, crypto/Web3 |
| 8 | Peneto Labs | Yes | Manual-first + Safe-to-Host certification | Govt contracts, Safe-to-Host, NIC |
| 9 | WeSecureApp | Yes | 200+ global clients, sector-customised VAPT | Mid-market, healthcare, finance |
| 10 | Strobes Security | Yes | PTaaS – continuous penetration testing model | DevOps teams, SaaS, frequent deployers |
Top 10 VAPT Companies in India: Detailed Comparison
Here is a breakdown of the top VAPT vendors in India, which every organisation should consider in 2026.
Mitigata
Mitigata sits at the top of this list because of a differentiator no other VAPT company in India can match: the integration of vulnerability testing with cyber insurance advisory services.
- 800+ businesses across 25+ sectors trust Mitigata for cybersecurity and insurance.
- Plans from ₹52,000: India’s most accessible professional VAPT service provider with expert advisory included.
- Forbes 30 Under 30 recognition and Excellence in Full Stack Cyber Award – India’s most credentialed full-stack cyber provider.
- Post-VAPT insurance review: Maps VAPT findings to IRDAI-regulated cyber insurance – identifying gaps in coverage before a breach, not after.
Affordable VAPT Solutions Starting at ₹52,000/per Application*
Mitigata reduces false positives, saving time and strengthening overall business security posture
Astra Security
Astra Security has established itself as the most visible Indian-origin VAPT platform for the SME and startup segment. Its real-time dashboard lets clients track vulnerability status, communicate with security engineers, assign remediation tasks to developers, and download compliance-ready reports from a single interface.
- 10,000+ vulnerability checks: One of the broadest automated check libraries in the Indian VAPT market, covering OWASP Top 10, SANS Top 25, and business logic testing.
- Verifiable certificate: Astra issues a publicly shareable security audit certificate with a unique URL, useful for demonstrating security posture to enterprise clients, investors, or audit bodies.
- CI/CD integration: Security scans can run in GitHub Actions, Jenkins, and GitLab CI pipelines.
- Note: Deep manual penetration testing is available only on the highest pricing tier. Confirm the scope before engaging if your requirement is primarily manual.
eSec Forte Technologies
eSec Forte is the benchmark for enterprise VAPT in India. Its CMMi Level 3 certification, held by only a handful of Indian cybersecurity companies, indicates that its processes are not just skilled but systematically documented, measured, and continuously improved.
- Client profile: Infosys, Tata Group entities, Hyundai India, major Indian private banks, and multiple government departments.
- Full-stack security: VAPT bundled with 24/7 SOC, digital forensics, incident response, and compliance audits under one roof
- Note: Premium pricing and enterprise focus make eSec Forte less accessible for SMEs and early-stage startups.
Explore the best VAPT tools businesses use to identify and fix security vulnerabilities effectively.
Indusface WAS
Indusface solves a problem that traditional VAPT leaves unaddressed: the remediation lag. When a critical vulnerability is found in a production web application, organisations face an exposure window while developers prepare a fix. Indusface eliminates this window by deploying an instant WAF rule to block exploitation while the code fix is in progress.
- 5,000+ global customers: One of the largest installed bases of any Indian-origin web application security vendor globally.
- Gartner WAAP recognition: The only Indian company recognised by Gartner in the Web Application and API Protection category.
- SwyftComply: Generates PCI-DSS, ISO 27001, and other compliance documentation directly from VAPT findings.
- Note: Indusface is primarily DAST-focused on web and API, not a comprehensive network or OT VAPT provider.
Qualysec Technologies
Qualysec has grown rapidly since its 2020 founding to become one of the most technically specialised VAPT vendors in India. Its edge lies in coverage of technology domains where traditional VAPT companies still have limited capabilities: AI/ML model security testing, IoT device firmware analysis, blockchain smart contract audits, and microservices API security.
- PTaaS model: Penetration Testing as a Service, a continuous testing subscription that suits companies shipping code frequently, rather than relying on a single annual engagement.
- AI/ML testing: As Indian enterprises deploy AI at scale, Qualysec’s ability to test for adversarial inputs and model-level vulnerabilities is a differentiator that no other listed vendor can match.
Get Advanced VAPT at Best Market Prices
Get expert VAPT from Mitigata at some of the most competitive rates in the market.
Kratikal Tech Pvt. Ltd.
By structuring VAPT engagements to map directly to ISO 27001 controls, SOC 2 criteria, or PCI-DSS requirements, Kratikal eliminates the duplication of effort that comes from using separate vendors for VAPT and audit preparation, saving significant time and cost.
- Compliance-mapped reporting: VAPT reports structured to map findings to specific ISO 27001 controls and SOC 2 criteria, making regulatory submissions straightforward.
- Accessible pricing: One of the most competitively priced CERT-In empanelled vendors for mid-market VAPT engagements.
Learn how to choose the right VAPT provider with this practical guide covering key factors, testing approaches, and evaluation tips.
SecureLayer7
SecureLayer7’s purple teaming approach, where red team (attackers) and blue team (defenders) work simultaneously, produces more actionable outcomes than traditional red-team-only VAPT, because it directly tests and improves the organisation’s ability to detect and respond to attacks.
- Bug bounty management: Sets up and manages bug bounty programmes, extending testing beyond a single engagement by leveraging the global security research community continuously.
- Crypto and blockchain audits: One of the few Indian CERT-In empanelled companies with documented smart contract security audit experience.
Peneto Labs Pvt. Ltd.
Peneto Labs has built its reputation on manual-first testing and deep expertise in the CERT-In audit methodology. Its Safe-to-Host certificate is specifically required for applications hosted on NIC or other government platforms, and Peneto Labs is among the most experienced providers of this certification in India.
- Free retesting: Free post-remediation retest included as standard, one of the few Indian VAPT vendors to offer this without an additional fee.
- Government audit expertise: Extensive experience with the specific report formats, CERT-In submission templates, and Safe-to-Host requirements for government sector engagements.
Understand the key differences between vulnerability assessment and penetration testing and when your organisation needs each.
WeSecureApp
WeSecureApp is an enterprise-grade cybersecurity provider focused on offensive security and proactive risk reduction. The team follows a hybrid methodology combining automated tools and manual testing with custom test cases uniquely aligned to each client’s business and industry.
- Security-as-a-Service retainers: Ongoing security engagement rather than point-in-time testing only, providing continuous advisory support throughout the year.
- Source code auditing: Identifies vulnerabilities baked into the codebase, a capability that complements VAPT rather than duplicating it.
- Managed security add-ons: SIEM deployment and management, threat intelligence, and incident response are available alongside VAPT.
Affordable VAPT Trusted by 1,000+ Businesses
Mitigata delivers expert security testing across 25+ industries without the enterprise-level price tag.
Strobes Security
Strobes represents the next evolution in VAPT delivery: Penetration Testing as a Service. Rather than a single annual test that provides a point-in-time snapshot, Strobes delivers continuous testing through a SaaS platform where new deployments automatically trigger security checks, and human pen testers are available on demand.
- Always-on testing: Unlike point-in-time VAPT, which goes stale the moment new code is deployed, PTaaS continuously validates production and pre-production environments.
- Vulnerability management platform: Unified tracking, management, and remediation of all vulnerability findings, giving security teams a single source of truth for their entire vulnerability backlog.
Which VAPT Company is Best for Your Sector?
| Your Sector | Primary VAPT Risk | Recommended Vendor(s) |
|---|---|---|
| BFSI / Banking / NBFC | Core banking vulnerabilities, mobile banking exploits, API fraud | eSec Forte, Indusface, Peneto Labs, Mitigata |
| Fintech / Payments | Payment API security, PCI-DSS gaps, transaction fraud vectors | eSec Forte, Astra, Qualysec, Mitigata |
| Healthcare | Patient data exposure, DPDP Act compliance, mobile app security | Mitigata, WeSecureApp, Kratikal, Astra |
| E-Commerce / Retail | Payment page injection, account takeover, product API abuse | Mitigata, Astra, Indusface, Strobes |
| SaaS / IT / ITeS | Multi-tenant data isolation, API security, SDLC vulnerabilities | Mitigata, Astra, Strobes, SecureLayer7 |
| Government / PSU | CERT-In compliance audit, Safe-to-Host certificate, critical systems | Peneto Labs, eSec Forte, Mitigata |
| Manufacturing / OT | OT/ICS vulnerabilities, SCADA exposure, operational disruption | eSec Forte, Mitigata |
| Startup (first VAPT) | Web app and API exposure, cloud misconfigurations, basic hardening | Astra, Qualysec, Kratikal, Mitigata |
| Crypto / Web3 / Blockchain | Smart contract exploits, DeFi attack vectors, wallet security | Qualysec, SecureLayer7, Mitigata |
| Cloud-First / DevOps | IAM misconfigurations, cloud storage exposure, pipeline injection | Mitigata, SecureLayer7, Strobes, Indusface |
Frequently Asked Questions
What do VAPT companies in India do?
VAPT companies identify and test security weaknesses in systems like web apps, mobile apps, APIs, networks, and cloud environments. They simulate real-world attacks and provide reports with vulnerability ratings and remediation guidance.
How do I verify if a VAPT vendor is CERT-In empanelled?
Visit cert-in.org.in and check the Empanelled Information Security Auditing Organisations list. Verify the company’s empanelment number, validity, and service scope directly on the official portal.
How much does VAPT cost in India?
Costs vary by scope. Small web app tests typically start around ₹30,000–₹52,000, while mid-size engagements can range from ₹1–5 lakh. Large enterprise assessments may cost ₹10 lakh or more.
What is the difference between VAPT and a vulnerability scan?
A vulnerability scan is automated and identifies known weaknesses. Penetration testing goes further by manually exploiting those weaknesses to assess real-world risk and impact.
Does VAPT help with cyber insurance in India?
Yes. Documented VAPT and remediation can improve your risk profile with insurers and may help reduce premiums by demonstrating stronger security practices.
deepthi s
akshit k
Anuj Kumar