On-Demand Penetration Testing vs Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS)

Penetration testing has, and continues to play a key role in most organization’s risk management strategy by helping them discover weaknesses in their defenses and ensure compliance with many regulatory frameworks, such as GDPR and PCI-DSS, which require regular vulnerability assessments and testing.

However, traditional one-time penetration tests have limitations. They provide only a snapshot of an organization’s security posture at a specific moment, leaving gaps between assessments where new vulnerabilities can emerge undetected. This has led to the rise of Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS), which offers continuous testing and real-time insights, allowing organizations to maintain a more dynamic and proactive approach to their security.

That said, not all PTaaS solutions are created equal. Many so-called PTaaS offerings are, in reality, on-demand penetration testing services that operate under a credit-based pricing structure. These offerings may appear to be a more flexible version of traditional penetration testing, however, they come with the same limitations: testing is conducted at scheduled intervals, not continuously. In contrast, true PTaaS solutions offer continuous testing and remediation support, providing organizations with real-time insights into their security posture and the ability to address vulnerabilities as they emerge.

In this section, we’ll explore the differences between the credit-based, on-demand penetration testing models often marketed as PTaaS and the continuous security offered by true PTaaS solutions.

What is Credit-Based, On-Demand PTaaS?

Many providers label their services as PTaaS, but in reality, they follow a credit-based, on-demand testing model. In this approach, companies purchase credits that can be redeemed for penetration tests when needed. This might sound flexible, but it effectively mirrors traditional on-demand testing in that security assessments are still conducted at specific times—whether for compliance reasons, system updates, or on-demand checks requested by the organization.

Here’s how it works:

• Credit Purchase: Organizations buy a certain number of testing credits in advance. These credits represent different types of tests (e.g., network, application, or cloud testing) and can be redeemed based on the business’s testing needs.
• Scheduled Testing: The company uses its credits to schedule tests at pre-determined times. The frequency and scope of these tests are often dictated by available credits or testing budgets, meaning some systems or applications may go untested for extended periods.
• Assessment and Reporting: Much like traditional on-demand penetration testing, these assessments provide a snapshot of the organization’s security posture at a given moment. A report is generated after the testing is complete, detailing vulnerabilities and suggested remediation efforts.
• Follow-up and Retesting: Some providers offer credits for retesting after vulnerabilities have been addressed, but this is typically an additional cost.

Pricing Structure

In this credit-based model, pricing is relatively straightforward: organizations pay for the number of credits they need, which can range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the number and type of tests. While this approach offers flexibility in terms of when tests can be conducted, it lacks the ongoing, real-time visibility that businesses need to stay ahead of evolving threats.

Limitations of On-Demand PTaaS

While credit-based on-demand PTaaS may seem like a flexible option, it still has significant limitations:

• Episodic Testing: Much like traditional on-demand penetration testing, security assessments are conducted at specific times, providing a single snapshot of the environment. Vulnerabilities that emerge between tests can go undetected for months, leaving organizations exposed.
• Limited Real-Time Insight: This model does not offer continuous visibility into the organization’s security posture. Without real-time monitoring, businesses may not be aware of critical vulnerabilities until the next scheduled test.
• Reactive Approach: On-demand PTaaS is inherently reactive. Security teams only address vulnerabilities once they’ve been identified during a test, rather than continuously monitoring and remediating issues as they arise.

What is Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS)?

Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) is a modern, proactive approach to cybersecurity that provides continuous testing and real-time visibility into an organization’s security posture. Unlike traditional on-demand penetration testing, where assessments are scheduled at fixed intervals, PTaaS offers ongoing vulnerability detection, remediation, and risk management through a cloud-based platform. This continuous testing model enables organizations to keep pace with the evolving threat landscape and stay ahead of cyber attackers.

How PTaaS Works

Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) combines automated tools and expert analysis to provide continuous security assessments. Rather than performing a one-time test, PTaaS delivers ongoing testing, offering real-time updates as vulnerabilities are discovered. This allows organizations to address risks promptly and maintain a more dynamic defense posture.

Delivered through a cloud-based platform, PTaaS gives organizations full visibility into their security environment, tracking vulnerabilities, monitoring test results, and managing remediation efforts all in one place. The process involves a mix of automated scans for common vulnerabilities and in-depth manual testing for more complex threats, ensuring thorough security coverage. Real-time reporting allows security teams to address issues as they arise, while built-in collaboration tools streamline communication between teams and testers.

Benefits of PTaaS

Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) offers a continuous, real-time approach to identifying and addressing vulnerabilities, providing a proactive alternative to traditional one-time assessments. By incorporating ongoing testing and enhanced visibility, PTaaS helps organizations stay ahead of evolving threats.

• Continuous Security: PTaaS delivers real-time testing and vulnerability detection, reducing exposure by allowing immediate responses to threats as they emerge.
• Scalability: Suitable for businesses of any size, PTaaS adapts to complex infrastructures and grows alongside an organization’s needs.
• Cost Efficiency: By spreading testing costs over time, PTaaS offers a more cost-effective solution than periodic, large-scale assessments.
• Real-Time Visibility: A cloud-based platform provides continuous insight into an organization’s security posture, helping teams monitor vulnerabilities and track remediation efforts.
• Proactive Risk Management: PTaaS enables organizations to stay ahead of potential breaches by identifying and addressing vulnerabilities as soon as they arise, minimizing risk.

With its flexibility, scalability, and continuous monitoring, PTaaS provides a more proactive and cost-efficient solution to cybersecurity challenges. By embracing PTaaS, organizations can confidently manage risks and strengthen their defenses in real time.

Why TrollEye Security's PTaaS Solution Outperforms the Rest

At TrollEye Security, we understand that every organization has different security needs, which is why we offer both on-demand penetration testing and our full-service Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) solution. While on-demand testing is available for clients who prefer periodic assessments, we strongly recommend our PTaaS offering for those seeking continuous, comprehensive protection.

Unlike traditional, one-time assessments, our PTaaS solution provides ongoing monitoring, real-time insights, and regular vulnerability assessments, ensuring that your security posture remains resilient as threats evolve.

Continuous Testing That Goes Beyond the Basics

Our PTaaS solution is built on a foundation of flexibility, with testing conducted on a weekly or monthly basis depending on your organization’s needs. This process is managed through our Command Center, which provides a centralized platform for tracking and managing security vulnerabilities. Through Command Center, vulnerabilities are identified, validated, and distributed to your team with detailed remediation guidance. Our approach ensures that every vulnerability is addressed promptly and efficiently, reducing the window of opportunity for potential exploitation. Additionally, our focus on partnership means that we work closely with your internal team, offering expert support and regular cadence meetings to review your security progress and adapt your strategy as needed.

Beyond penetration testing, TrollEye Security’s PTaaS includes a range of additional security features that strengthen your overall defense. Our Attack Surface Management (ASM) feature continuously monitors your external assets to ensure no critical components are left exposed. We also offer Dark Web Analysis, which scans for any mention of your organization’s data on underground forums, allowing you to take action before a targeted attack occurs. Furthermore, our PTaaS includes Phishing Assessments, simulating real-world phishing attempts to train employees, reduce human error, and find vulnerabilities in the process.

Why TrollEye Security’s PTaaS is the Right Choice

By choosing TrollEye Security’s PTaaS, you’re not only investing in a solution that provides continuous security testing but also in a partnership that evolves with your business. Our comprehensive approach, combined with additional security features and real-time monitoring, ensures that your organization is always prepared for the next cyber threat. Let us help you stay one step ahead with a solution designed to meet the ever-growing demands of today’s cybersecurity landscape.