Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS): Credit vs Subscription Model

Security testing can no longer afford to be slow, siloed, or reactive. Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS), also known as Pentest as a Service, offers a modern, agile, and continuous penetration testing solution.

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Unlike traditional annual testing methods, PTaaS supports today’s fast-moving software development and deployment cycles.

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In this guide, we explore two scalable PTaaS delivery models: credit-based and subscription based penetration testing.

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Each model offers unique benefits tailored to specific operational and security needs. Choosing the right model can help your team stay compliant, reduce risk, and align security with continuous development.

Why Traditional Penetration Testing Falls Short

Traditional penetration testing provides value but is often limited in scope and frequency. These assessments act like a snapshot in time.

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Once completed, they fail to reflect new risks that emerge from code changes, third-party integrations, or infrastructure updates.

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For modern organizations operating in SaaS, DevOps, or hybrid cloud environments, annual or one-off penetration tests cannot keep up.

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This gap in testing can allow critical vulnerabilities to go unnoticed and unaddressed for months, putting both data and reputation at risk.

Overview of PTaaS Delivery Models

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1. Credit-Based PTaaS (Pentest as a Service)

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The credit-based PTaaS model provides maximum flexibility. Organizations purchase a pool of testing credits in advance. These credits can be used across various types of assets and test scopes.

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How it works:

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• Buy a block of testing credits.
• Use credits throughout the year for different testing types such as:
  
  
  
  • Web or mobile application testing
  • API security assessments
  • Cloud infrastructure reviews
  • Internal and external network penetration tests
    
    
• Credits roll over quarterly, offering flexibility without the pressure of expiration.
  
  

Ideal for:

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• Agile teams releasing frequent updates
• Businesses with fluctuating testing requirements
• Organizations managing multiple asset types
  
  

Key Benefits:

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• Launch tests on-demand for new features, compliance events, or investor requirements
• Focus on high-priority assets without waiting for an annual test
• Aligns with CI/CD cycles and release schedules
• Provides a "pay once, test multiple times" model

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2. Subscription Based PTaaS (App-Based)

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The subscription based PTaaS model is designed for teams that need continuous, scheduled testing across fixed applications or environments.

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It provides consistent security validation with predictable pricing.

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How it works:

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• Subscribe to a plan based on the number of applications or environments
• Receive scheduled penetration tests (monthly or quarterly)
• Includes:
  
  
  
  • Manual testing
  • Managed DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing)
  • Vulnerability scans
  • Continuous retesting of previously found issues
    
    

Ideal for:

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• Compliance-driven industries (e.g., fintech, healthcare, SaaS)
• Companies needing continuous security reporting
• Organizations with established release schedules
  
  

Key Benefits:

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• Reduces exposure time between tests
• Covers front-end, APIs, identity systems, and cloud infrastructure
• Offers consistent pricing for annual planning
• Helps teams fix and validate vulnerabilities faster with automated feedback

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How ioSENTRIX Delivers Scalable Penetration Testing as a Service

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Manual Testing Backed by Threat Intelligence

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While automated scanners are useful for identifying common issues, they often miss complex threats.

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ioSENTRIX prioritizes manual testing backed by custom threat modeling to uncover critical vulnerabilities. We simulate real-world attack techniques across:

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• APIs
• Authentication systems
• Cloud services (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• Business logic and user privilege paths

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DevSecOps Integration

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Security should move at the speed of development. ioSENTRIX PTaaS integrates seamlessly with your DevSecOps workflows, including:

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• On-demand or scheduled testing in staging and pre-production
• Integration with tools like Jira, GitHub, and Slack
• Fast remediation cycles with developer-friendly feedback

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Unified PTaaS Dashboard

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Manage everything in one place:

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• Track vulnerabilities, retesting status, and remediation deadlines
• View CVSS scores and business impact ratings
• Export executive summaries and technical reports
• Access Penetration Testing Certificates and Attestation Letters for audits and RFPs
• Map results to standards like SOC 2, ISO 27001, OWASP, HIPAA, and CCPA

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When to Switch from Traditional Penetration Testing to PTaaS

Switching to PTaaS is not just a technological upgrade, it’s a strategic one. If you face any of the following situations, it’s time to consider Penetration Testing as a Service:

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• Your team releases new features more than once per quarter
• You manage multiple SaaS platforms, APIs, or hybrid environments
• Customers or investors request current pentest reports
• You need to meet ongoing compliance obligations
• Your DevOps or security team needs real-time testing and remediation

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Traditional penetration testing served its purpose, but it can’t keep up with today’s software development cycles. PTaaS offers continuous visibility, faster fixes, and better alignment with modern workflows.

Conclusion

Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) provides a modern, scalable approach to securing today’s fast-moving tech environments.

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Whether you prefer the flexibility of a credit-based model or the predictability of a subscription based penetration testing plan, PTaaS enables your team to detect, respond to, and fix vulnerabilities faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is credit-based PTaaS and how does it work?

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Credit-based PTaaS is a flexible model where companies purchase testing credits. These can be used on any asset type and roll over quarterly, offering maximum agility.

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What is subscription based penetration testing?

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Subscription based penetration testing is a recurring service that includes regular manual assessments, vulnerability scans, and retesting within a flat-rate model.

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Which PTaaS model is best for DevOps teams?

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Credit-based PTaaS is ideal for DevOps because it supports on-demand testing, aligned with sprint cycles, releases, or sudden changes in infrastructure.

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Can PTaaS replace traditional annual penetration testing?

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Yes. PTaaS offers continuous, deeper coverage, faster remediation, and real-time visibility, making it a full replacement for outdated annual testing models.

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