A Guide to SOC 2 Penetration Testing

A SOC 2 penetration test is like hiring a professional lockpicker to test the security of a building. It's a controlled, ethical cyberattack designed to find security holes in your client's systems before real criminals do. For MSPs and vCISOs handling compliance, this isn't just a good idea—it's a critical security check required to prove a client's systems are secure.

Think of it as the ultimate test to show you've done everything needed to protect sensitive customer data.

Understanding a SOC 2 Pentest for MSPs and vCISOs

For MSPs, vCISOs, and GRC companies, SOC 2 compliance can be a complex journey. A penetration test is your guide, giving clients a clear way to show their commitment to security. This is much more than a simple checkbox; it's a real-world simulation of an attack.

The process is simple: a certified ethical hacker tries to break into your client's systems. They will probe networks, applications, and cloud services just like a real attacker would. The goal isn't to cause damage but to find weak spots so they can be fixed before they are exploited. This is the core of a strong risk assessment strategy.

A SOC 2 penetration testing engagement does more than find vulnerabilities. It also proves that existing security controls are working properly, which is essential for protecting your client's business.

Why Manual Pentesting Is Essential for Compliance

Many vendors offer "automated pentests," but these are often just basic vulnerability scans. A scanner can find common, known issues, but it cannot think like a human. It misses complex business logic flaws and multi-step attacks that a certified hacker would find.

That's why our entire process is built on manual pentesting. Our experts, who hold top certifications like OSCP, CEH, and CREST, use their skills to mimic the creative thinking of a real attacker. They uncover vulnerabilities that automated tools are blind to, delivering a more accurate assessment of your client's security.

This hands-on, manual pentesting approach is exactly what auditors look for to satisfy the requirements of SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and ISO 27001. You can review a helpful SOC 2 compliance checklist to better understand what auditors need.

How Pentesting Meets SOC 2 Trust Criteria

Penetration testing directly supports the five SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria. It provides auditors with the concrete evidence they need for a successful audit. A pentest offers practical proof that the security controls you've helped your client implement are working under real-world pressure.

This table shows how a pentest aligns with each criterion, making it a key part of any SOC 2 audit.

Trust Service CriterionHow Penetration Testing AppliesSecurityDirectly tests access controls, network configurations, and system hardening to prevent unauthorized access.AvailabilityIdentifies vulnerabilities (like DoS) that could disrupt system uptime and impact service delivery for your client's customers.Processing IntegrityUncovers flaws in applications that could allow for unauthorized or inaccurate data manipulation, ensuring data is processed as intended.ConfidentialitySimulates attacks aimed at stealing sensitive data, testing the effectiveness of encryption and access restrictions.PrivacyValidates controls protecting Personally Identifiable Information (PII) to ensure they meet privacy commitments and regulations.

Why You Need a Channel-Only Pentesting Partner

The compliance and managed service industry often has a problem with inflated prices and long wait times. Many MSPs and vCISOs are caught between vendors with high costs and slow report delivery, using testing methods that don't go deep enough. This makes it difficult to build healthy margins and truly help your clients.

You may have even referred business to a pentesting company only to find them trying to sell directly to your client. That’s not a partnership. You need someone in your corner, not a vendor who sees your client list as their next sales target.

We built our company to solve this problem. We are a 100% channel-only firm, meaning we only work through partners like you. We will never compete for your clients, creating a true partnership that lets you grow your security and compliance offerings with confidence.

Our Step-by-Step Manual Pentesting Process

We believe in making penetration testing simple and transparent. Our process is clear and effective, so you can guide your clients and their auditors through every step with confidence. Our manual pentesting process is like having an expert locksmith check every door and window, actively looking for clever ways to get inside, just like a real burglar would.

First, we work with you to scope the project. We map out the systems, applications, and networks involved in the SOC 2 audit. This keeps the test affordable and focused. Then, our certified pentesters begin reconnaissance, gathering public information to find potential entry points.

Next, our experts, armed with certifications like OSCP, CEH, and CREST, hunt for weaknesses using advanced tools and experience. Then comes the most important part: manual exploitation. We don't just find vulnerabilities; we try to break in, showing the actual risk assessment of a weakness, which is exactly what SOC 2 auditors want to see. You can see the full process in our complete methodology for penetration testing.

The final phase is reporting. We deliver a clean, actionable document that everyone, from leadership to the technical team, can understand. Our reports include an executive summary, a detailed technical breakdown of each vulnerability, and clear, step-by-step instructions on how to fix each issue. We provide this to you as a white label document, making you the hero who delivers a high-value security assessment for compliance frameworks like SOC 2, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.

How to Properly Scope a SOC 2 Pentest

Getting the scope of a SOC 2 penetration test right is the most important step for an affordable and successful project. Correctly scoping the test builds trust and prevents delays, surprise costs, and unhappy auditors. As an MSP or vCISO, this is your chance to guide your client and ensure the final scope covers exactly what their auditor needs to see without adding unnecessary systems that drive up the price.

Together, we'll map out the critical components, such as applications, infrastructure, and networks. One of the biggest mistakes is under-scoping to save money. An auditor will likely spot this gap, requiring a new penetration testing engagement and causing major delays.

We make scoping easy. As a channel-only partner, we provide a simple questionnaire to walk through with your client. Our team of OSCP and CEH certified pros will then review it and provide a clear, fixed-price scope with no hidden fees. This lets you present a confident proposal and ensures the manual pentesting engagement satisfies the auditor. You can dig deeper with our detailed guide on SOC 2 audit requirements.

Delivering Actionable SOC 2 Pentest Reports

A penetration test is only as good as its final report. Our reports are built to make you, the MSP or vCISO, look like a hero by giving your clients total clarity and a clean, easy-to-follow roadmap for their auditors. A great report tells a story that everyone, from the C-suite to the technical team, can understand.

Our white label pentesting reports include a concise executive summary, detailed technical findings, and practical remediation guidance. We also use a simple risk-rating system (Critical, High, Medium, Low) to help clients prioritize what to fix first. This efficient, risk-based approach is exactly what auditors love to see and shows a mature handle on risk assessment.

The market for penetration testing is growing, driven by regulations like SOC 2, HIPAA, and PCI DSS, which often require regular testing. The financial services and healthcare industries are leading this trend. You can learn more about the penetration testing market growth projections.

Our goal is to deliver a document that helps your client pass their audit and makes them more secure. As your channel-only partner, we provide these actionable, white-label reports under your brand, solidifying your role as their trusted security advisor.

Grow Your Business with White-Label Pentesting

The compliance industry can be challenging for partners. You deal with high prices, long waits for reports, and the risk that a vendor might compete with you. We offer a solution built for the channel.

We are a 100% channel-only firm. Our success is your success. We will never compete with you or sell directly to your clients. Our business is designed to be your silent, expert partner, delivering affordable, fast, and top-tier manual pentesting that you can sell under your own brand.

Here’s how we help you win:

• Affordable, Margin-Friendly Pricing: Our model keeps costs low, leaving plenty of room for you to make a profit.
• Rapid, Reliable Delivery: We deliver comprehensive reports quickly, so you can keep projects moving for SOC 2, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.
• Expertise You Can Resell: Our team holds certifications like OSCP, CEH, and CREST, giving you access to world-class talent.

With our white label pentesting service, you can expand your security offerings, build more trust with your clients, and establish your brand as a security leader. The idea of outsourcing IT services shows just how much strategic sense this model makes. Contact us today to learn more about our partner program.

Answering Your SOC 2 Pentesting Questions

As an MSP or vCISO, your clients look to you for clear answers about SOC 2 penetration testing. Here are some common questions we hear, so you can feel confident in your client conversations.

For SOC 2 compliance, a pentest is typically required at least once a year. However, a new test should also be done after any major change to your client's environment, like a big application update or a cloud migration. This shows auditors that your client is serious about security.

A vulnerability scan is not the same as a pentest. A scan is automated and finds easy, known issues. A penetration test is a manual pentesting process where a certified ethical hacker simulates a real-world attack to see how far they can get, which is what SOC 2 auditors require.

When our team finds a critical vulnerability, we notify you immediately so your team can start fixing it. The final report will include a prioritized list of all findings with step-by-step remediation instructions. We also offer free re-testing to confirm the vulnerability is gone.

And yes, our pentesting service can be 100% white-labeled. All reports, communications, and deliverables can be branded with your logo. You get to offer top-tier, manual penetration testing as part of your core services while we handle the technical work behind the scenes.

Ready to provide your clients with affordable, fast, and expert-led penetration testing? Contact us today to learn more about our channel-only partner program.