Is a pentest required for SOC 2?
Not technically required
SOC 2 doesn't mandate a pentest.
Auditors expect it
CC4.1 names pentesting as evidence controls work.
Customers demand it
it appears on nearly every security questionnaire.
SOC 2 Type I vs. Type II, and where pentesting fits
A pentest produces real evidence for both, mapped to the Trust Services Criteria your auditor reviews.
CC4.1 (ONGOING EVALUATION)
CC7.1 (DETECTION & RESPONSE)
AVAILABILITY
CONFIDENTIALITY
Human validation
A scanner flags what might be wrong. A human proves what an attacker can actually do.
Chained exploits
Broken authentication
Business-logic flaws
Multi-tenant isolation gaps
Real-time visibility into findings
Remediation tracking
One-click auditor-ready reports
How to scope a SOC 2 pentest
Good scope matches your SOC 2 system description. We typically test:
WEB APPS
APIs
CLOUD
NETWORKS
AUTHENTICATION FLOWS
The most common mistake is scoping too small. We lock scope and pricing up front, so there’s no moving target once testing starts.
1000+
25,000+
4.8
Reports
You’re in Good Hands
“The Red Sentry team was able to deliver quick, but thorough, results for my business. Their responsiveness and findings were critical in closing a new client engagement. I am looking forward to working with them in the future.”
Craig Serold | Partner
"Complete satisfaction. Nothing less. From concept to conclusion, you are in great hands throughout the entire process."
Douglas G. | CEO
“Seamless, constructive, efficient. They are always quick to respond to customers and very easy to work with regarding scheduling.”
Ryan M. | Director of Sales
“Very good. They provided recognized credibility and gave us a clean bill of health on issues we had resolved.”
David N. | Leader of Client Delight
Does SOC 2 require a pen test?
Not strictly. SOC 2 does not name penetration testing as a mandatory control. But CC4.1 calls for ongoing evaluation of your controls and lists pen testing as a way to do it, so most auditors expect one and most enterprise customers ask for it.
Can a scanner satisfy my auditor?
A scanner helps, but it cannot confirm whether a flaw is actually exploitable, and it misses business-logic and authentication issues. Auditors and customers want the proof a human-led test provides, which is why a scan alone rarely satisfies them.
SOC 2 Type I vs. Type II: what is tested?
Type I checks that your controls are designed correctly at a point in time. Type II checks that they operate effectively over a period, usually three to twelve months. A pen test produces evidence for both.
Which controls does a pen test support?
Most directly CC4.1 (ongoing evaluation) and CC7.1 (detecting and responding to issues), plus the availability and confidentiality criteria your auditor reviews.
What does the report and attestation include?
Findings mapped to the Trust Services Criteria, an executive summary and technical detail, business impact and severity, reproducible steps, prioritized remediation guidance, a letter of attestation, and a complimentary retest after you fix the issues.
How do we scope it?
We match scope to your SOC 2 system description, typically web apps, APIs, cloud, networks, and authentication flows, and we lock scope and pricing up front so there is no moving target.
How often should we test?
At least once a year, and again after any significant change to your systems. Many teams test before each audit period.
What do your testers' credentials look like?
Every test is run by certified Red Sentry security professionals.