Organisations today are increasingly exposed to cyber risks originating from unchecked network scanning and unpatched vulnerabilities. At the same time, the rise of malicious large language models like WormGPT and FraudGPT has lowered the barrier for hackers, enabling even less-skilled actors to launch phishing campaigns, create malware, and exploit security gaps with alarming ease.

For CXOs, accountability is clear. Decisions around testing scope, remediation priorities, and risk acceptance must be driven from the top, reinforcing cybersecurity as a board-level responsibility rather than a purely technical function. Yet, with a large number of CERT–In–empanelled penetration testing providers operating across India, identifying the right partner remains a critical challenge.

To address this, our security experts have evaluated firms based on strict adherence to CERT-In methodologies, sector-specific expertise, a balanced approach to automated and manual testing, robust reporting practices, and proven experience with government and critical infrastructure organisations. The result is a curated list of the top players in the industry, designed to help you strengthen your digital ecosystem, build stakeholder trust, and support sustainable business growth.

Top 10 CERT-In Empanelled Companies in 2026

Kratikal Tech Ltd

Kratikal is a CERT-In–empanelled security auditor for the past 5 years, trusted by over 650+ enterprises and SMEs to safeguard their brands against cyber threats.  CERT-In empanelment is critical for organizations operating in India, as it validates the credibility of a security auditor and is often a mandatory requirement for regulatory compliance, government engagements, and sector-specific cybersecurity mandates. It has established a strong presence in the cybersecurity landscape through its comprehensive VAPT services, security compliance audits, and v-CISO offerings. Their expertise spans multiple industries, including Fintech, Telecom, Healthcare, E-commerce, and other critical sectors, earning the confidence of some of the world’s most respected organisations.

At the core of their services is a highly skilled team of security professionals equipped with globally recognised certifications such as CISA, ISO 27001 Lead Auditor, CISSP, OSCP, CISM, CEH, CREST, AZ-900, eWPT, CRTP, and CRTA.  Their offerings include PTaaS (Penetration Testing as a Service), API scanning, red team assessments, source code audits, and compliance-aligned security evaluations. 

The services offered by Kratikal are listed below: 

VAPT Services

• Web Application Testing
• Mobile Application Testing
• Network Penetration Testing
• Cloud Penetration Testing
• IoT Security Testing
• OT Security 
• Secure Code Review 
• Medical Device Security Testing 
• Threat Modeling 
• Root Cause Analysis 
• Red Teaming 
• Software Composition Analysis 
• AI Pentesting 

Compliance Services 

Standard Compliance 

• ISO/IEC 27001 Compliance 
• SOC 2 Compliance 
• GDPR Compliance 
• HIPAA Compliance 
• PCI DSS Compliance 
• ISO 42001 Compliance 
• ISO 27701 Certification 
• ISO 27018 Certification 
• ISO 27017 Certification 
• Cyber Crisis Management Plan 
• SDLC Gap Analysis 
• NIST CSF 2.0
• Cloud Security Audit 

Regulatory Compliance 

• IS Audit(RBI)
• IRDAI Compliance Audit
• SEBI Compliance Audit
• CERT-In Security Audit
• SAR Compliance Audit
• CICRA 
• IT General Controls 
• DLA Audit

SISA

SISA Information Security is a forensics-driven cybersecurity firm that helps organisations strengthen their security posture by combining forensic intelligence with advanced technology. Originally focused on the financial services and digital payments space, SISA has expanded its offerings globally, delivering preventive, detective, and corrective security services across compliance, security testing, data protection, threat detection, and incident response.

WeSecure App

WeSecureApp is an enterprise-grade cybersecurity solutions provider focused on offensive security and proactive risk reduction. The firm helps organisations strengthen their security posture through a wide range of services, including penetration testing, application and network security assessments, secure code reviews, red-teaming, and cloud security services. It also offers managed security services such as vulnerability management, threat intelligence, DevSecOps support, and compliance consulting to help businesses meet regulatory requirements and defend against sophisticated threats.

eSec Forte

eSecForte is a global cybersecurity consulting firm recognised for delivering security audits and advanced offensive security services. The company supports organisations in strengthening their cyber resilience through services such as VAPT, red teaming, cloud and application security, incident response, digital forensics, and compliance assessments. With a strong focus on industry standards and regulatory alignment, eSecForte serves enterprises across multiple sectors, combining expert-led. 

Aujas Cybersecurity

Aujas Cybersecurity helps organisations strengthen and evolve their cybersecurity posture to effectively manage and reduce risk. Their purpose is to make solutions and customised services that enable businesses to build greater cyber resilience by reducing the likelihood and impact of attacks. By driving meaningful change, encouraging innovation, and supporting scalable growth, we work closely with organisations to design security frameworks that align with and enable their long-term business goals.

Rootnik Labs

RootNik Labs is an ISO-certified cybersecurity services provider based in India that specialises in protecting digital assets and infrastructure. They offer a wide range of solutions, including penetration testing, application and network security audits, red team assessments, API and cloud security testing, digital forensics, and compliance audit services to help organisations identify and mitigate cyber risks. RootNik Labs also provides training and certification programs in cybersecurity, combining practical skills with expert guidance to strengthen both enterprise defences and individual careers. The company emphasises personalised solutions, professional expertise, and client success in building resilient security postures.

CyberNX

CyberNX is a CERT-In empanelled cybersecurity and cloud security services provider based in India. It offers a wide range of services, including penetration testing, red teaming, managed detection and response, cloud security, secure code review, and compliance consulting. CyberNX also provides security monitoring and v-CISO services. With a strong focus on regulatory alignment and threat-led security, the company helps organisations strengthen resilience and reduce cyber risk across modern IT environments.

CyberQ Consulting

The organisation is an established cybersecurity and information security consulting firm based in India. Founded in 1997, the company provides a wide range of services, including security audits, vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, compliance support, and risk-based security consulting. CyberQ is CERT-In–empanelled and has worked with hundreds of clients across industries. With a strong focus on process improvement and strong cybersecurity practices, the firm helps organisations strengthen their security posture and meet regulatory requirements.

Peneto Labs

Peneto Labs is a cybersecurity company based in India. It focuses on penetration testing and security audits for regulatory compliance. The company delivers assessments across applications, networks, and infrastructure. Its expert team follows global testing standards and provides clear, actionable reports. Peneto Labs helps organisations identify risks early and strengthen their overall security posture.

Securium Solutions

Securium Solutions is a cybersecurity services company for information security auditing. They provide end-to-end security services, including VAPT, risk assessment, cloud and network security, and compliance support. Their offerings help organisations identify vulnerabilities and strengthen digital defences. Securium works with clients across India, the UAE, the US, the UK, and Malaysia. The firm also focuses on tailored security programs and advisory services to meet varied business needs.

How to Select the Right CERT-In Empanelled Penetration Testing Provider?

Choosing the right CERT-In empanelled penetration testing partner goes beyond simply verifying their empanelment. The decision directly influences your organisation’s security posture, compliance readiness, and operational efficiency, while also playing a major role in building trust and ensuring the long-term resilience of your business.

Verifying Technical Competence and Accreditations

Start by confirming their CERT-In empanelment on the official CERT-In website, as some providers may present expired or inaccurate credentials.

Next, check for widely recognised industry certifications such as OSCP, CEH, CISSP, and CREST. Providers with publicly verifiable CREST accreditation have an advantage, as it demonstrates verified technical proficiency.

Request the CVs of the team members who will handle your assessment. Ensure they have hands-on experience with your specific technology stack and industry sector. It’s also beneficial to partner with providers whose teams actively engage in security research, CVE discovery, or responsible disclosure initiatives.

Analysing Testing Approach and Techniques

Ensure their testing methodology aligns with your organisation’s risk profile and compliance requirements. Top providers use a combination of automated scanning and manual testing. Request sample reports to evaluate the clarity of findings, the quality of remediation guidance, and the depth of business impact analysis.

It’s also important to understand their approach to authenticated testing, including scan-behind-login capabilities. Many critical vulnerabilities reside in privileged areas of applications that unauthenticated scanners cannot detect. Providers that emphasise authenticated testing often stand out as a key differentiator.

Adherence to Compliance and Reporting Guidelines

Make sure the provider produces reports that align with your specific compliance requirements. They should also be familiar with your industry’s regulatory frameworks, such as RBI guidelines for banking or SEBI regulations for capital markets.

Ask for sample executive summaries and technical reports to evaluate their clarity and practical usefulness. The most effective providers create reports that cater to both technical teams and executive management, presenting findings and recommendations tailored to each audience.

Conclusion

As cyber threats continue to evolve in scale and sophistication, selecting the right CERT-In empanelled penetration testing partner has become a strategic imperative rather than a routine compliance exercise. The organisations highlighted in this list have demonstrated strong technical expertise, proven sector-specific experience, and the ability to deliver actionable, compliance-ready insights that meet CERT-In requirements. By working with a capable and transparent CERT-In empanelled security provider, organizations can move beyond checkbox compliance, gain meaningful risk visibility, strengthen regulatory confidence, and build a resilient security foundation that supports long-term and sustainable growth. 

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