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Most companies getting SOC2, ISO 27001, NIST, or other compliance audits have heard of vulnerability scanning, automated pentesting, AI Pentesting and manual penetration testing.
Each of these services and SaaS play a role, and knowing when and why to use each helps MSPs, vCISOs, and audit firms deliver the penetration test their client needs.
Vulnerability Scanning: What It Is and How MSPs Use It
What it is: Vulnerability scanning is a software that uses scans from predefined scripts on client systems for known security issues like missing patches, exposed ports, and misconfigurations. Most MSPs already include this in their stack or resell a scanning solution to clients. It’s typically automated and scheduled to run on a regular basis.
Why it matters:
- Fast and affordable way to find vulnerabilities within your network
- Great for proactive cybersecurity, encourage by vCISOs, MSPs, and CTOs.
- Satisfies several controls for compliance frame works like SOC2, ISO 27001, NIST 800-53, amongst others.
Limitations: It’s only as good as the database it pulls from. It won’t find business logic flaws or advanced attack chains. Predefined scripts with tools such as Nmap, Kali Linux, and others with an user interface and more recently automated reports.
Automated Pentesting and AI Pentesting: Check the Box
What it is: Tools that go beyond simple scanning and simulate real attacks, sometimes using AI or other pre defined scripts to chain vulnerabilities or go deeper than a vulnerability scan.
Why it matters:
- Good at catching more complex issues than a basic scanner
- Can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines for dev teams
- Great for speed
- Can check the box for some compliance frameworks but is discouraged by many cyber experts.
Use case: When a client wants something more than a scan but isn’t ready to pay for or doesn’t need full manual testing.
Limitations:
- Still relies on templates and known issues
- No human intuition or contextual awareness
- Can be rejected by auditors and enterprise clients; especially when handling data
Manual Pentesting: For Audits, Compliance, and Cyber Assurance
What it is: Real human hackers (the good and ethical kind) manually test applications, networks, or systems to find vulnerabilities and weaknesses that scanners and automated pentests miss.
Why it matters:
- Finds deep below the surface vulnerabilities
- Validates findings where automated pentests show false positives
- Includes human logic and business context
- Uses AI tools too, but with human guidance
- Used for audit and compliance frameworks
Use case: Compliance needs, M&A due diligence, or when your client actually wants to know how bad things could get.
Limitations:
- More expensive
- Needs skilled testers
- Some pentest vendors have aggregious prciign
So Which Pentest does Your MSP Need?
If you’re an MSP, vCISO, or audit firm, you don’t have to pick just one. The best approach is layered:
- Start with monthly scans to maintain baseline security
- Layer in automated pentests for speed and depth (optional).
Since this is a hybrid approach generally not needed if you are doing scans and manual pentesting. - Bring in manual pentesting for clients with compliance needs or real risk exposure
Why Resell Pentesting with MSP Pentesting
Manual testing has long been the hardest to sell or productize, but we make it easy:
- Fully manual tests priced for resellers
- White labeled reports and marketing materials
- Flexible delivery models
- Attested third party or white labeled under your brand
MSP Pentesting offers both manual and automated pentesting. But encourages manual pentesting.
Want to see a sample report or talk sales strategy? Let’s chat.
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