If you want a trusted assessment that meets official requirements and protects your business from advanced threats, you must engage with a CERT-In empanelled vendor to get a VAPT audit. They follow high quality standards and frameworks, uncover vulnerabilities, and provide reports you can rely on for compliance and decision-making. In this article, we have explained steps to get a VAPT audit from a CERT-In empanelled vendor, so you can secure your organization without uncertainty.
Steps to Get a VAPT Audit from a CERT-In Empanelled Vendor
When you follow a structured approach, getting the VAPT audit becomes easy. The following steps will guide you through the process from preparation to final VAPT certification.
Step 1: Determine Your VAPT Requirements
Before reaching out to any CERT-In empanelled vendor, you need a clear understanding of your VAPT needs. Defining your requirements upfront helps avoid scope gaps, delays, and unexpected costs.
A. Identify the Assets to Be Tested: Start by listing the systems that require testing. This may include:
- Web applications
- Mobile applications
- Network infrastructure
- APIs and backend services
- Cloud environments
Each asset type requires a different testing approach, so clarity here is essential.
B. Define Scope and Objectives: Clearly outline what the audit should cover:
- Number of applications or systems
- IP addresses and domains in scope
- User roles to be tested (admin, user, guest, etc.)
- Compliance or regulatory frameworks required
This ensures the audit meets both security and compliance goals.
C. Understand Your Timeline
Determine when the VAPT audit must be completed and how long the audit certificate or report will remain valid. This is especially important for regulatory deadlines or customer requirements.
D. Budget Planning
Estimate your budget based on scope size, testing depth, and complexity. Larger environments or compliance-driven audits typically require more effort and cost.
E. Gather Technical Documentation
Prepare key technical information to support the VAPT audit:
- System architecture diagrams
- Network topology
- Application documentation
- Test user credentials
- API documentation
Step 2: Find CERT-In Empanelled Vendors
Once your requirements are clear, the next step is to identify a vendor empanelled by CERT-In.
A. Refer to the Official CERT-In Empanelled List
Visit cert-in.org.in and download the latest list of CERT-In empanelled auditors. This ensures that the vendor is officially recognized.
B. Verify Empanelment Status
Confirm the vendor’s empanelment validity period, specialization areas, and contact details. Always ensure that the empanelment is active.
C. Understand Vendor Categories
CERT-In empanelled vendors may fall into different groups, such as:
- Information Security Auditing Organizations
- VAPT service providers
- Incident response teams
Choose a vendor whose specialization matches your requirements.
D. Research Vendor Background
Review the vendor’s experience, years of operation, industry focus, and client feedback. A strong track record indicates reliable testing and quality reporting.
Step 3: Shortlist and Evaluate Vendors
Once you identify CERT-In empanelled vendors, the next step is to evaluate them carefully. Shortlisting the right vendors ensures you receive accurate testing, reliable reports, and meaningful security outcomes. The key evaluation criteria are:
A. Technical Expertise
Evaluate the vendor’s technical capabilities by checking:
- Security certifications such as OSCP, CEH, and CISSP
- Hands-on experience with security tools and platforms
- Alignment with testing frameworks like OWASP and PTES
B. Industry Experience
Choose vendors who understand your business environment:
- Experience auditing organizations similar to yours
- Knowledge of your industry (banking, healthcare, e-commerce, etc.)
- Ability to handle complex or large-scale infrastructures
C. Team Qualifications
Assess the people who will actually perform the audit:
- Credentials and experience of senior auditors
- Team size and availability to meet deadlines
- Language and communication capabilities
D. Service Quality
Review how well the vendor supports clients:
- Sample audit reports and documentation quality
- Remediation guidance and post-audit support
- Re-testing and validation policies
E. Commercial Terms
Ensure business clarity by reviewing:
- Transparent and detailed pricing
- Clear payment terms
- Defined SLAs and delivery timelines
Step 4: Request Detailed Proposals
After shortlisting, request formal proposals (RFP) to understand each vendor’s approach and commitment.
A. What to Include in Your RFP
- Organization details: Company size, industry, and compliance needs
- Technical scope: Systems to be tested, environments, and access requirements
- Expected deliverables: Report format, presentations, certifications needed
- Timeline and budget: Project deadlines and cost expectations
B. Information Vendors Should Provide
- Detailed testing methodology
- Audit team composition and experience
- Project execution timeline
- Transparent cost breakdown
- Sample reports and client references
Step 5: Compare Proposals and Select the Vendor
With proposals at hand, focus on both quality and value, not just price.
A. Price Comparison Matrix
Create a spreadsheet to compare scope, deliverables, pricing, and timelines across vendors.
B. Quality Assessment
Review report samples, methodology depth, and team credentials to assess testing quality.
C. Reference Checks
Speak with previous clients to understand vendor reliability, communication, and report usefulness.
D. When to Avoid a Particular Vendor?
- Unusually low pricing
- Vague or unclear testing methodology
- Lack of certified professionals
- Fully automated testing claims
- Poor or delayed communication
E. Final Selection Criteria
Choose the vendor that offers the best balance of cost, expertise, reporting quality, experience, and responsiveness.
Step 6: Pre-Engagement Preparation
Before Vulnerability assessment and penetration testing begins, proper preparation ensures a smooth and disruption-free audit.
A. Sign Legal Agreements
Finalize all required documents, including:
- Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
- Service agreement
- Approved scope document
- Rules of engagement
These documents define responsibilities, protect sensitive data, and set testing boundaries.
B. Define Testing Windows
Agree on preferred testing dates, maintenance windows, and blackout periods to avoid business disruption.
C. Prepare Your Environment
Get your systems ready for testing:
- Back up critical systems and data
- Inform internal IT and security teams
- Create and share test user credentials
- Whitelist the vendor’s testing IP addresses
D. Establish Communication Protocols
Assign a primary point of contact, define escalation paths, and agree on how often updates will be shared.
E. Set Clear Expectations
Confirm expected deliverables, timelines, and the level of support provided during remediation.
Step 7: During the VAPT Audit
Once the audit starts, active collaboration helps maintain efficiency and accuracy.
A. Kickoff Meeting
Hold a kickoff call to reconfirm scope, methodology, timelines, and communication channels.
B. Provide Required Access
Share necessary credentials, VPN access, technical documentation, and introduce technical contacts for quick coordination.
C. Maintain Ongoing Communication
Participate in daily or scheduled status updates and respond quickly to auditor queries.
D. Monitor Progress
Track testing milestones to ensure activities stay aligned with agreed timelines.
E. Address Issues Quickly
Resolve access issues or scope clarifications promptly to avoid delays.
Step 8: Post-Audit Activities
After testing is complete, focus shifts to understanding findings and improving security.
A. Review the Draft Report
Validate findings for accuracy and request clarifications if needed.
B. Attend the Presentation Meeting
Discuss vulnerabilities, risk impact, and remediation priorities with the auditors.
C. Receive Final Report and Certificate
Obtain CERT-In compliant documentation, usually a VAPT audit, severity-based findings, and a remediation roadmap.
D. Plan Remediation
Prioritize critical issues, assign resources, and set remediation timelines.
E. Request Re-Testing
Verify fixes through re-testing and obtain a clean or updated certificate.
F. Maintain Documentation
Store reports and certificates for compliance audits, insurance, and future references.
Get a VAPT Audit from Peneto Labs, an expert Cybersecurity Company
Peneto Labs has been empanelled by CERT-In to conduct information security auditing services. Peneto Labs delivers comprehensive and compliant VAPT audits for organizations across industries. Our experienced security professionals follow CERT-In guidelines and globally recognized standards to identify real-world vulnerabilities across web applications, mobile apps, networks, APIs, and cloud environments.
We focus on more than just detection. Our security audits provide clear severity-based findings, proof of exploitation, and actionable remediation guidance that your teams can implement with confidence. From pre-engagement planning to re-testing and final certification, Peneto Labs ensures a smooth, transparent, and reliable audit experience.
Conclusion
By clearly defining your requirements, evaluating empanelled vendors, preparing your environment, and following through remediation and re-testing, you ensure the audit delivers real security value, not just compliance on paper.
A well-executed VAPT audit helps you identify critical risks early, strengthen your security posture, and meet regulatory expectations with confidence. When done right, it becomes a proactive step toward protecting your systems, data, and business from evolving cyber threats.
If you need a trusted partner to get a VAPT audit or meet regulatory requirements and strengthen your security posture, experts at Peneto Labs are always available to help you.