The Evolution of Pentesting: A Strategic Shift in Cybersecurity
May 8, 2025, 11:44 am
Location: Israel, Center District, Petah Tikva
Employees: 201-500
Founded date: 2015
Total raised: $360M
In the ever-changing landscape of cybersecurity, penetration testing (pentesting) has transformed from a mere compliance requirement into a strategic necessity. The latest findings from Pentera’s State of Pentesting 2025 report reveal a seismic shift in how organizations approach security validation. This evolution is driven by the increasing complexity of cyber threats and the need for robust defenses.
Pentesting is no longer just a box to check. It’s a critical component of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. Once viewed primarily as a compliance obligation, it now serves multiple purposes. Organizations leverage pentesting for control validation, prioritizing security investments, and assessing potential cyber-attack damage. This shift reflects a broader understanding of cybersecurity as a business imperative rather than a regulatory hurdle.
The report indicates that only 29% of organizations conduct pentesting primarily for regulatory compliance. Instead, 32% of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) prioritize pentesting to guide security investments. This strategic focus highlights the growing recognition that effective cybersecurity is essential for business continuity and reputation management.
However, the road to effective pentesting is fraught with challenges. A significant barrier is the global shortage of cybersecurity professionals. The industry faces a staggering deficit of 4 million professionals. For the third consecutive year, 48% of CISOs cite the availability of skilled pentesters as a top obstacle. This shortage hampers organizations' ability to conduct regular and thorough testing.
Budget constraints further complicate the landscape. In the U.S., 44% of CISOs identify budget limitations as a key inhibitor to increasing testing frequency. This figure has surged from 24% in 2024, indicating a growing financial strain on cybersecurity initiatives. The pressure to allocate resources effectively clashes with the rising demand for continuous security validation. Traditional snapshot-style testing is no longer sufficient to meet evolving compliance and risk management needs.
As organizations grapple with these challenges, automation is emerging as a beacon of hope. The shift toward automated pentesting solutions is gaining traction. While 33% of organizations still rely on manual testing, 50% have adopted software-based pentesting and red teaming. Additionally, 37% are utilizing Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS) tools. This trend underscores a broader movement toward Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) frameworks, which emphasize ongoing testing rather than point-in-time assessments.
The findings from pentesting are no longer relegated to technical reports. They are now vital communication tools that drive business decisions. A significant 62% of organizations immediately transfer findings to IT security teams for remediation. Nearly half share results with executives or senior management, demonstrating how pentesting is being operationalized. It’s not just about fixing vulnerabilities; it’s about justifying investments and informing business strategy.
As attack surfaces expand, organizations are aligning their pentesting efforts with perceived vulnerabilities and historical breach data. External-facing assets remain the most tested, with 57% of organizations focusing their efforts there. APIs and applications are also high-priority targets, reflecting their growing role in cyber-attacks. Cloud infrastructure and IoT are gaining attention as well, while Operational Technology (OT) remains a lower priority.
This alignment signifies a shift toward distributed risk management. Organizations are expanding their testing coverage to ensure readiness across all attack surfaces. The goal is to create a resilient cybersecurity posture that can withstand the evolving threat landscape.
Despite the progress, operational risks remain a concern. While 30% of CISOs still fear outages, this worry has dropped from the top inhibitor in 2023 to third place in 2025. The concern is most pronounced in large enterprises, where 41% of CISOs at companies with over 10,000 employees see operational risk as a major barrier. This shift in priorities reflects a growing understanding that while operational risks are significant, they must be balanced against the need for proactive security measures.
The pace of change in enterprise environments is relentless. Organizations are making changes to their IT infrastructure at least quarterly. Without automation and technology-driven validation, it’s nearly impossible to keep up. The findings from the Pentera report reinforce the need for scalable security validation strategies that can adapt to the speed and complexity of today’s environments.
In conclusion, pentesting has evolved into a strategic cornerstone of modern cybersecurity programs. As organizations navigate the challenges of skilled labor shortages and budget constraints, the adoption of automated solutions will be crucial. The transformation of pentesting from a compliance checkbox to a strategic practice underscores the critical role of cybersecurity in safeguarding business interests. The future of pentesting lies in its ability to adapt, innovate, and provide actionable insights that drive security and business success.
Pentesting is no longer just a box to check. It’s a critical component of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. Once viewed primarily as a compliance obligation, it now serves multiple purposes. Organizations leverage pentesting for control validation, prioritizing security investments, and assessing potential cyber-attack damage. This shift reflects a broader understanding of cybersecurity as a business imperative rather than a regulatory hurdle.
The report indicates that only 29% of organizations conduct pentesting primarily for regulatory compliance. Instead, 32% of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) prioritize pentesting to guide security investments. This strategic focus highlights the growing recognition that effective cybersecurity is essential for business continuity and reputation management.
However, the road to effective pentesting is fraught with challenges. A significant barrier is the global shortage of cybersecurity professionals. The industry faces a staggering deficit of 4 million professionals. For the third consecutive year, 48% of CISOs cite the availability of skilled pentesters as a top obstacle. This shortage hampers organizations' ability to conduct regular and thorough testing.
Budget constraints further complicate the landscape. In the U.S., 44% of CISOs identify budget limitations as a key inhibitor to increasing testing frequency. This figure has surged from 24% in 2024, indicating a growing financial strain on cybersecurity initiatives. The pressure to allocate resources effectively clashes with the rising demand for continuous security validation. Traditional snapshot-style testing is no longer sufficient to meet evolving compliance and risk management needs.
As organizations grapple with these challenges, automation is emerging as a beacon of hope. The shift toward automated pentesting solutions is gaining traction. While 33% of organizations still rely on manual testing, 50% have adopted software-based pentesting and red teaming. Additionally, 37% are utilizing Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS) tools. This trend underscores a broader movement toward Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) frameworks, which emphasize ongoing testing rather than point-in-time assessments.
The findings from pentesting are no longer relegated to technical reports. They are now vital communication tools that drive business decisions. A significant 62% of organizations immediately transfer findings to IT security teams for remediation. Nearly half share results with executives or senior management, demonstrating how pentesting is being operationalized. It’s not just about fixing vulnerabilities; it’s about justifying investments and informing business strategy.
As attack surfaces expand, organizations are aligning their pentesting efforts with perceived vulnerabilities and historical breach data. External-facing assets remain the most tested, with 57% of organizations focusing their efforts there. APIs and applications are also high-priority targets, reflecting their growing role in cyber-attacks. Cloud infrastructure and IoT are gaining attention as well, while Operational Technology (OT) remains a lower priority.
This alignment signifies a shift toward distributed risk management. Organizations are expanding their testing coverage to ensure readiness across all attack surfaces. The goal is to create a resilient cybersecurity posture that can withstand the evolving threat landscape.
Despite the progress, operational risks remain a concern. While 30% of CISOs still fear outages, this worry has dropped from the top inhibitor in 2023 to third place in 2025. The concern is most pronounced in large enterprises, where 41% of CISOs at companies with over 10,000 employees see operational risk as a major barrier. This shift in priorities reflects a growing understanding that while operational risks are significant, they must be balanced against the need for proactive security measures.
The pace of change in enterprise environments is relentless. Organizations are making changes to their IT infrastructure at least quarterly. Without automation and technology-driven validation, it’s nearly impossible to keep up. The findings from the Pentera report reinforce the need for scalable security validation strategies that can adapt to the speed and complexity of today’s environments.
In conclusion, pentesting has evolved into a strategic cornerstone of modern cybersecurity programs. As organizations navigate the challenges of skilled labor shortages and budget constraints, the adoption of automated solutions will be crucial. The transformation of pentesting from a compliance checkbox to a strategic practice underscores the critical role of cybersecurity in safeguarding business interests. The future of pentesting lies in its ability to adapt, innovate, and provide actionable insights that drive security and business success.