Cyber threats are growing fast in India. Every now and then, there’s news of a data breach or hacking incident. At Peneto Labs, we believe no company should suffer from cyberattacks. Therefore, we want to keep businesses like yours informed about topics that impact your cybersecurity posture.
With this rise in attacks, government and private organizations are under pressure to secure their systems. That’s where CERT-In empanelled auditors come in. These are cybersecurity experts officially empanelled by CERT-In to carry out security audits.
But not all auditors are the same. Some are new. Some may lack experience in your industry. Also, sometimes CERT-In vendors do compliance audits, but they only check the compliance baseline. However, you must hire someone who goes beyond baseline and performs high quality penetration testing to find hidden vulnerabilities or risks.
In addition, the chosen CERT-In vendor must possess a team of skilled cybersecurity experts who demonstrate proven penetration testing expertise.
So, how do you choose the right one?
In this blog, we’ll share the top questions to ask before hiring a CERT-In empanelled auditor. These will help you make the right decision and avoid common mistakes.
Whether you’re preparing for a government tender or just want a security check of your critical sector, this guide is for you.
Why Hiring the Right CERT-In Auditor Matters?
Let’s first understand who a CERT-In empanelled auditor is.
CERT-In, short for Indian Computer Emergency Response Team, is the national cybersecurity authority. It empanels cybersecurity vendors to conduct security audits. These are called CERT-In empanelled auditors.
They are trained to assess your systems, test your security, and after the audit, they give you a report that many government departments and hosting providers accept.
Regulators like RBI, SEBI, Stock exchange and National Insurance Private Limited and IRDAI may prefer these reports, but its acceptance depends on their specific rules.
CERT-In empanelled auditors can conduct the security assessments required for a Safe-to-Host certificate, especially when hosting on government infrastructure like NIC which means only these approved auditors can give you a valid Safe-to-Host certificate based on the hosting authority’s requirements.
Now, here’s the thing—you shouldn’t hire just any CERT-In auditor. Some vendors may have expertise in compliance audit while they may lack VAPT assessment skills such as IOT/SCADA specifically.
So, you must ask the right questions before choosing your audit partner. This will help you avoid surprises and get the most value from your audit.
Remember, this isn’t just a formality. It’s about keeping your systems safe and your business compliant.
Want to know how to hire a CERT-In empanelled auditor who fits your needs? Keep reading—we’ve made it easy for you.
Top Questions to Ask Before Hiring a CERT-In Empanelled Company
Choosing the right CERT-In empanelled auditor is not just about ticking a box. It’s about trusting someone with your systems, data, and compliance goals. So, before you sign that contract, here are the top questions you should ask:
1. Are You Officially CERT-In Empanelled?
Why it matters: Some vendors might claim that they are empanelled—but you should always verify their name on the list of cert-in empanelled companies.
2. What Is Your Audit Experience in My Industry?
Why it matters: Cyber risks vary across sectors. An auditor who understands your industry (like fintech, healthcare, or SaaS) will know what to look for.
3. Can You Share a Sample Report or Audit Format?
Why it matters: Look at the depth of their reporting. A strong audit report includes findings, risk ratings, and actionable fixes. Use this as a part of your CERT-In audit checklist.
4. Do You Provide Help with Remediation?
Why it matters:
An audit without fixing the issues is incomplete. Ask if they help your team understand the report and resolve the findings.
5. Do You Offer Post-Audit Support or Free Retesting?
Why it matters:
Security is not one-time. After patching the issues, many top auditors offer a free retest to confirm fixes.
6. How Soon Can You Start and Deliver the Audit?
Why it matters:
If you’re applying for a tender or need a certificate quickly, timelines matter. Ask how soon they can start and share the final report.
7. Have You Worked with Government or Tender-Based Projects?
Why it matters: For NIC hosting or government contracts, your audit report must meet specific formats such as Safe to Host Certificate. Not all vendors are familiar with this.
8. What Certifications Does Your Team Hold?
Why it matters: Look for globally recognized certifications like OSCP, GIAC, or OSCE. This shows the auditor has solid skills—not just paper approval.
9. Will You Issue a “Safe to Host” Certificate?
Why it matters: Some projects (especially government ones) need this certificate. Make sure your auditor can provide it once you fix the risks.
10. How Do You Handle Sensitive Data During the Audit?
Why it matters: Your systems contain sensitive business and customer information. The auditor should follow strong data privacy and non-disclosure practices.
By asking these questions, you’re not just hiring an auditor—you’re choosing a trusted security partner.
Signs You Might Be Choosing the Wrong CERT-In Vendor
Not all vendors who claim to be CERT-In empanelled offer the same level of service, expertise, or reliability. Sometimes, a few warning signs can help you steer clear of a poor audit experience. Here’s what to watch out for:
1. They Can’t Prove Their CERT-In Empanelment
What it means: If they dodge this question or don’t appear on CERT-In’s official list, walk away. Only CERT-In empanelled companies can perform an official audit.
2. Their Team Doesn’t Have Security Certifications
What it means: No OSCP, OSCE or GIAC holders in their team? It’s a sign they may not have the technical depth to assess your infrastructure properly.
3. Their Proposal Lacks Scope or Clarity
What it means: A vague proposal means unclear deliverables. You should know exactly what they will test, how they’ll report it, and what support you’ll get.
4. They Rush the Audit or Offer Unrealistic Timelines
What it means: A thorough CERT-In empanelled audit requires proper scoping and planning. While timelines vary based on the size and complexity of the environment, be cautious of vendors promising ultra-fast audits without clearly defining the scope or methodology.
5. No Support for Fixes or Retesting
What it means: If they only give you the report and disappear, your team is left confused. A good vendor guides you through remediation and retests after you apply the fixes.
6. No Experience in Your Sector
What it means: Security audits must align with your industry’s compliance needs. If they haven’t worked with clients like you before, results may not meet expectations.
Need help reviewing a vendor proposal or figuring out the right questions to ask?
Peneto Labs has helped 100+ organizations make the right audit decisions. We’re happy to walk you through it.
How Peneto Labs Helps You Prepare for a CERT-In Audit?
At Peneto Labs, we understand that preparing for a CERT-In empanelled audit can feel overwhelming—especially if it’s your first time. That’s why we don’t just offer auditing services. We partner with you at every step to make sure your organization is fully prepared and confident.
1. We Help You Understand the Scope Clearly
We begin with a scoping session where we define what’s in and out of the audit. Whether it’s your web apps, servers, cloud, or internal network—we ensure nothing is missed.
2. We Review Your Readiness
Our team walks through your current security controls, checks for common gaps, and helps you fix the basics before the official audit begins.
3. We Provide a Pre-Audit Checklist
We share a customized CERT-In audit checklist that outlines what documentation, access, and systems are needed. This helps avoid delays and surprises.
4. We Guide Your Team Through the Process
From IT teams to business heads, we explain the entire process in simple terms. Everyone involved knows what to expect without any jargon or guesswork.
5. We Support You in Fixing Vulnerabilities
Found an issue during the audit? We help your team fix it fast—with actionable remediation guidance and handholding if needed.
6. We Handle Retesting and Reporting
Once you fix the gaps, we conduct retesting to ensure everything is secure. Then, we generate a detailed CERT-In compliant report, including the Safe-to-Host certificate (if applicable).
7. We Stay With You Post-Audit
Need help during compliance filing? Have questions in the next quarter? We offer continuous support, even after your audit is complete.
Peneto Labs is a CERT-In Empanelled Cybersecurity Company that’s trusted by banks, startups, public sector units, and enterprises across India. We have been in the penetration testing industry for the past 7 years. Our experts hold top penetration testing certificates such as GXPN, GAWN, GPEN, GWAPT, GRID, GCIH, OSCE, OSWP, and OSCP.
We don’t just check the boxes—we help you stay secure, compliant, and ready for anything.
Want to book a free scoping call or discuss your audit needs?
Drop us a line at sales@penetolabs.com.
Conclusion: Ask the Right Questions, Choose the Right Auditor
Choosing the right CERT-In empanelled cybersecurity company isn’t just about ticking a compliance checkbox. It’s about protecting your data, gaining customer trust, and being audit-ready when it matters most.
By asking the right questions and evaluating vendors carefully, you’ll save time, reduce risk, and ensure a smoother audit journey.
If you’re still wondering how to hire a CERT-In empanelled auditor that fits your business, we’re here to help.
CERT- In has empanelled Peneto Labs to conduct information security auditing services. At Peneto Labs, we conduct the highest quality security audits. With our technical expertise, we guide businesses like yours through every step—scoping, testing, reporting, and support.
Let’s connect for a free consultation to discuss your business requirements regarding security audit.