The best SOC 2 penetration testing companies for most SaaS and cloud businesses in 2026 are White Knight Labs, for manual-heavy external, internal, application and cloud testing with a retest before the report reaches your auditor; Software Secured, for reports mapped to SOC 2 criteria and synced to Vanta and Drata; and Adversim, for a fixed-fee engagement that ends with an auditor evidence package and attestation letter. This guide to the Top SOC 2 Penetration Testing Companies In 2026 covers seven more firms, from audit-linked providers to PTaaS platforms and SaaS specialists.
This list is for founders, engineering leaders and compliance owners preparing for a SOC 2 Type 1 or Type 2 report who need an independent test their auditor will accept. We only included service firms that publish a SOC 2 penetration testing offering or explicitly position their testing for SOC 2 evidence. We compared what each firm says about scope, criteria mapping, reporting, retests and attestation letters, using the companies’ own websites. For more on how testing supports audits in general, see our penetration testing for compliance guide.
Does SOC 2 Require A Penetration Test?
Not strictly. The AICPA Trust Services Criteria do not mandate penetration testing. The CC4.1 points of focus list penetration testing as one example of the separate evaluations management can use, alongside other options, and testing also supports monitoring and vulnerability management criteria in CC7. In practice, most auditors expect an annual penetration test as evidence that controls work, and enterprise buyers frequently ask for the report or a summary letter during security reviews. Treat it as an expected control, not an optional extra.
SOC 2 Penetration Testing Companies At A Glance
Company
Headquarters
Best For
SOC 2 Deliverables
White Knight Labs
Guys Mills, Pennsylvania, USA
Manual testing with a pre-audit retest
Technical report, evidence, proof of exploitation, optional retest, auditor reporting
Software Secured
Canada
SaaS teams using Vanta or Drata
Reports mapped to CC4.1, CC7.1 and CC7.2, retests within 12 months, GRC sync
Adversim
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Fixed-fee engagements with full evidence packs
TSC-mapped report, auditor evidence package, retest report, attestation letter
A-LIGN
Tampa, Florida, USA
One provider for the SOC 2 audit and the test
Tiered packages, MITRE ATT&CK mapping, separate audit and testing teams
Prescient Security
Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Compliance-focused testing with CREST status
Preliminary and follow-up reports, attestation letters, complimentary retests
Schellman
Tampa, Florida, USA
Enterprises wanting a large attestation firm
Network, application, cloud and red team testing, findings shared through AuditSource
Cobalt
United States
Fast PTaaS starts and unlimited retests
Auditor and customer reports, attestation and customer letters, Vanta sync
Rhymetec
New York, USA
Early-stage SaaS companies
Web, API, network, cloud and LLM testing, PTaaS retest cycles
Netragard
United States
Human-led testing for Type II audits
External, internal, web, mobile, cloud and social engineering testing
Bright Defense
Culver City, California, USA
Startups wanting published price tiers
Tiered SOC 2 testing from $2,750, compliance program support
Best SOC 2 Penetration Testing Companies In 2026
1. White Knight Labs — Auditor-Ready External, Internal And Application Testing With A Pre-Audit Retest
White Knight Labs is a boutique offensive security firm founded in 2017, with offices in Guys Mills, Pennsylvania, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Its SOC 2 Type II penetration testing service is built to produce auditor-ready evidence, and its guidance is accurate about the standard: auditors do not always explicitly require a penetration test, but they regularly expect one as evidence of vulnerability management.
The scope focuses on external and internal penetration testing. Testers cover internet-facing network services, internal systems and lateral movement opportunities, web applications and APIs tied to customer data or critical services, authentication, identity and SSO configurations, and cloud environments in AWS, Azure or GCP where in scope. Endpoint and privilege escalation scenarios are included where they apply.
Every engagement starts with a scoping call covering systems, applications and compliance requirements. Deliverables include an executive summary and technical report, scan results with evidence, proof of exploitation, remediation recommendations in clear language, additional reporting for SOC 2 auditors and an optional retest so fixes are confirmed before the report goes to the auditor. The firm describes its overall testing mix as roughly 20% automation and 80% manual, holds CREST Pathway+ status and is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business.
Best for: SaaS and cloud companies that want mostly manual testing across network, application and identity layers, with fixes validated before audit fieldwork.
2. Software Secured — Criteria-Mapped Reports That Sync To Vanta And Drata
Software Secured is a Canadian penetration testing firm founded in 2010 by Sherif Koussa, who helped launch the OWASP WebGoat and Cheat Sheets projects. Its SOC 2 page is a useful buyer’s guide in its own right: it says pentesting is not explicitly mandated, that CC4.1 lists penetration testing as a common form of separate evaluation, and that testing supports CC7.1 and CC7.2.
The firm gives practical scoping advice. Type 1 audits generally expect an external network and web application test of production, while Type 2 audits generally expect annual testing, often with proof of remediation. Most SaaS companies, it says, should plan for external network, web application and API testing plus a cloud review on AWS, Azure or GCP, with internal network testing for larger environments.
Reports map findings to SOC 2 controls including CC4.1, CC7.1 and CC7.2, arrive within 48 to 72 hours of test completion and sync automatically into Vanta and Drata. Retesting is included and can be requested within 12 months of the report, and a PTaaS option supports continuous manual testing aligned with release cycles.
Best for: SaaS teams running SOC 2 through a compliance automation platform that want criteria-mapped reports with minimal manual evidence work.
3. Adversim — Fixed-Fee Testing With A Complete Auditor Evidence Package
Las Vegas-based Adversim states plainly that SOC 2 does not explicitly mandate penetration testing in the Trust Services Criteria, but that auditors treat regular technical testing as a baseline expectation. It notes that Type I generally needs one test showing the control exists, while Type II needs evidence of testing at a regular cadence across the audit period.
Scope covers the external attack surface, web applications and APIs, cloud infrastructure, multi-tenancy and isolation, customer authentication flows including SSO, MFA and account recovery, and optional internal network testing. Methodology aligns to NIST SP 800-115, OWASP and the Trust Services Criteria, with findings mapped to CC6 and CC7 and scored with CVSS v3.1.
The deliverable set is the most complete on this list: an executive summary, a technical report with criteria mapping, a remediation roadmap, an auditor evidence package, a retest report for critical and high findings, an attestation letter on Adversim letterhead and an optional redacted summary for customers. Engagements are quoted as fixed fees, with two to four weeks of active testing for most SaaS products.
Best for: Companies that want every document their CPA firm and enterprise customers will ask for, at a fixed price.
4. A-LIGN — SOC 2 Audit And Penetration Testing From One Provider
A-LIGN is a large compliance firm with offices in Tampa, London and elsewhere, and says it ranks as the number one SOC 2 report issuer, with about 36,000 completed audits and more than 6,400 clients. Its penetration testing is positioned to satisfy SOC 2 and ISO 27001 needs, and the firm says compliance work and penetration testing are handled by two separate, independent teams.
Testing comes in four tiers. Professional suits companies building a first baseline. Premium expands to external networks, internal networks and web applications. Elite adds adversary simulation across cloud, hybrid, OT and application environments, with findings mapped to MITRE ATT&CK and access to the RADAR platform for monitoring between assessments. Custom engagements cover unusual environments or regulations.
A-LIGN says its testers hold OSCP, OSCE and OSEE certifications, cites more than 4,600 completed penetration tests, and matches testers to the client’s industry. Remediation guidance explains what to fix, in what order and why, and links findings to the client’s controls.
Best for: Companies that want their SOC 2 auditor and penetration tester under one contract, with independent teams.
5. Prescient Security — CREST-Approved Compliance Testing With Complimentary Retests
Prescient Security is based in Nashville, Tennessee, and describes itself as a CREST-approved company. Its compliance penetration testing is aligned with specific regulations, with a significant focus on SOC 2 and ISO standards, and projects typically run from one day to two weeks. Traditional engagements, red teaming, purple teaming and an automated testing tool called Cacilian are also available.
The corporate structure matters for SOC 2 buyers. Prescient Security LLC performs the penetration testing and is not a CPA firm, while its sister entity Prescient Assurance LLC is a licensed CPA firm that provides audit and attest services. Buyers can keep both under one group or use Prescient only for testing alongside another auditor.
Deliverables include preliminary and follow-up reports, letters of attestation and other documents compliance programs typically need, and Prescient offers complimentary retests.
Best for: SaaS companies that want quick, CREST-backed compliance testing with attestation letters and free retests.
6. Schellman — Penetration Testing From A Major Attestation Firm
Tampa-based Schellman is a large attestation firm that runs SOC 2 examinations through a licensed CPA entity and offers penetration testing through a separate non-CPA entity under an alternative practice structure. For buyers, that means one relationship for the audit and the test, with a structure designed to protect independence.
Its testing practice covers application, network, mobile, social engineering, cloud, physical, hardware and IoT testing, plus red teaming, purple teaming, Active Directory services and AI red teaming. Engagements are run by a director for scoping, a manager for delivery and a hands-on-keyboard tester, all of whom pass background checks.
Best for: Larger SaaS and enterprise companies that want testing from the same firm that issues their SOC 2 report.
7. Cobalt — PTaaS With Auditor Reports And Unlimited Retests
Cobalt delivers penetration testing as a service through its platform and its Cobalt Core community of more than 400 pentesters, who it says hold OSCP certification. Testing can begin within 24 hours, which helps teams with a looming audit window.
For SOC 2, Cobalt generates reports tailored to executives, auditors and customers, and comprehensive pentests include an attestation letter and customer letter. Its Vanta integration syncs findings, pentests, assets and user data to automate evidence for 35 tests and 11 controls.
8. Rhymetec — SaaS-Focused Testing Alongside Compliance Support
Rhymetec was founded in New York City in 2015 as a penetration testing company and has focused on software-as-a-service companies since 2017, combining penetration testing with virtual CISO and compliance support. Its client testimonials describe taking companies from zero to ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type 2.
The testing menu is broad for a firm of its size: web application, external API, mobile, external and internal network, cloud and cloud configuration review, LLM testing, phishing and vishing, attack surface assessment, AI-assisted pentesting and ASV scans. A PTaaS option runs repeat cycles that validate fixes from earlier tests.
Best for: Early-stage B2B SaaS companies that want testing and SOC 2 program support from the same small team.
9. Netragard — Human-Led Testing For Auditors Who Reject Scanner Output
Netragard was founded in 2006 by Adriel Desautels and serves private and public sector clients from startups to Fortune 500 companies. Its view of SOC 2 is direct: the standard does not strictly require pentesting, but in 2026 most auditors expect it, especially for Type II, and automated scanners or AI-only testing are not enough.
Netragard says SOC 2 tests should map to criteria such as CC4.1 and CC6.1, fall inside the audit period, cover all in-scope attack surfaces at least annually and after major changes, and include remediation and retest evidence. Its services cover external, internal, WiFi, web application, mobile, cloud, social engineering and physical testing, plus red team and adversary emulation.
Best for: Companies whose auditors or customers expect deep, human-led testing rather than a lightly validated scan.
10. Bright Defense — Published SOC 2 Testing Tiers For Startups
Bright Defense is a cybersecurity firm based in Culver City, Los Angeles, that sells continuous compliance programs for SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA and CMMC alongside penetration testing of web apps, APIs, cloud environments and networks. It also offers virtual CISO and vulnerability management services.
Bright Defense is one of the few firms that publishes SOC 2 pentest pricing: compliance-focused testing starting at $2,750, expanded testing at $15,000 to $30,000, and advanced environments from $50,000.
Best for: Startups that want transparent pricing and help running the wider SOC 2 program.
How To Choose A SOC 2 Penetration Testing Company
Does The Scope Match Your SOC 2 System Description?
The test should cover the systems in your SOC 2 boundary: production applications, APIs, cloud infrastructure, identity and admin interfaces. Ask the vendor to scope from your system description rather than a generic package, and check whether internal network testing is needed for your environment.
Will The Report Satisfy Your Auditor?
Ask your auditor what they expect, then ask each vendor for a sample. Look for scope, methodology, dated testing windows, findings with evidence and remediation status. Criteria mapping, like the CC4.1 and CC7 mapping Software Secured and Adversim provide, makes the auditor’s job easier. Our penetration testing report guide covers the basics.
Is A Retest And Attestation Letter Included?
Type II auditors and enterprise customers often want proof that critical and high findings were fixed. Confirm whether a retest is included, how long you have to request it and whether you get a letter you can share with customers. Cobalt, Prescient and Adversim all offer attestation letters.
Does Timing Fit Your Audit Window?
For Type II, the test should fall inside the observation period. If the deadline is close, look for providers that start quickly, such as Cobalt’s 24-hour starts, and allow time for remediation and retest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is A Penetration Test Mandatory For SOC 2?
No. SOC 2 does not strictly mandate penetration testing, but the CC4.1 points of focus name it as an example of a separate evaluation, and most auditors expect one as evidence that controls work. Most SaaS companies run at least one test a year.
How Often Should SOC 2 Companies Run A Pentest?
At least annually and after significant changes to in-scope systems. Teams that ship often may prefer continuous testing; see our list of continuous penetration testing providers.
Can A Vulnerability Scan Replace A SOC 2 Pentest?
Scans support vulnerability management, but many auditors and customers want evidence of human-led exploitation testing. Our vulnerability scanning vs penetration testing guide explains the difference.
Conclusion
The right SOC 2 penetration testing company depends on your audit timeline, your compliance tooling and how much evidence you need to hand customers. White Knight Labs suits teams that want mostly manual testing with a retest before the auditor sees the report, Software Secured suits SaaS companies running SOC 2 through Vanta or Drata, and Adversim suits buyers who want a complete evidence package at a fixed fee. A-LIGN, Prescient Security, Schellman, Cobalt, Rhymetec, Netragard and Bright Defense each fit specific needs, from audit-and-test bundles to fast PTaaS starts and published startup pricing.
