Cybersecurity today isn’t just a concern for your IT department—it’s a core part of running a trusted, resilient business. With data breaches making headlines, ransomware hitting even the biggest brands, and strict compliance rules tightening in India, security is now everyone’s responsibility.
Whether you’re leading a bank, managing a healthcare platform, bidding for government projects, or scaling a tech startup, your customers and partners expect you to not just be secure but to prove it. In this new landscape, having strong cybersecurity isn’t optional; it’s what keeps your business running and your reputation intact.
This is where CERT-In empanelled companies come in. These are cybersecurity service providers officially empanelled by the Indian government’s nodal agency, CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) to conduct security audits, assessments, and offer expert security services.
At Peneto Labs, we believe in supporting one another and our customers with respect, fairness, and growth. Now, in this blog we’ll discuss what services CERT-In empanelled companies offer and why more organizations are choosing them, how they differ from typical providers, and why your business might benefit from working with one.
Services Offered by CERT-In Empanelled Vendors
If you’re wondering what services CERT-In empanelled companies offer, here’s a simple breakdown of the core services they provide. These services are preferred by both private businesses and businesses engaging with government bodies alike because they not only meet strict quality standards but also help them stay compliant. Kindly note that not all regulators mandate CERT-In empanelment.
1. Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing (VAPT)
This is one of the most sought-after services. CERT-In empanelled vendors perform both automated scans and manual penetration testing to detect hidden security issues in your systems, applications, and networks. Their testing goes beyond baseline checks and focuses on real risks.
These VAPT services are designed to align with industry standards and regulatory guidelines, making them ideal for compliance-driven organizations.
2. Information Security Audits
This is a comprehensive audit of your entire digital environment covering networks, cloud platforms, software applications, and hardware.
CERT-In empanelled vendors assess whether your systems are secure enough to host sensitive data. These audits are often needed for Safe-to-Host certification, which is mandatory for certain government hosted platforms and tenders such as the National Informatics Centre.
3. Configuration & Compliance Reviews
This involves a detailed review of how your security devices and tools are set up, think firewalls, endpoint protection, servers, and databases.
Vendors check if your configurations follow compliance frameworks. This ensures you meet industry-specific requirements and avoid penalties.
4. Risk-Based Security Assessment
CERT-In empanelled vendors don’t just list problems; they prioritize risks based on their real business impact. This approach helps you focus on fixing what matters most first, saving time, cost, and effort.
5. Safe-to-Host Certification
After a successful security audit, CERT-In empanelled vendors issue a Safe-to-Host certificate. This certificate proves that your web application or system is secure enough to go live, especially for hosting on NIC infrastructure or other government platforms. It’s not just a badge; it’s a requirement in many cases if your project is linked to the public sector.
6. Cloud Security & Architecture Review
As more companies move to the cloud, securing platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud becomes vital. CERT-In vendors review your cloud environment to detect misconfigurations, overly open access, or missing security controls. These reviews are crucial for modern digital businesses.
7. Advisory & Cyber Risk Consulting
Cybersecurity isn’t just about tools—it’s also about strategy. CERT-In empanelled vendors often support organizations with:
- Cybersecurity policy reviews
- Gap analysis reports
- Compliance roadmap
- Security maturity assessments
- Board-level risk reporting
These services are especially useful for startups scaling fast, or enterprises preparing for audits or mergers.
Whether you’re preparing for a government project, handling sensitive customer data, or strengthening your security framework, these services are designed to protect your business on every front.
Working with a CERT-In empanelled vendor means you’re choosing a partner that meets India’s highest cybersecurity standards.
Add-On Services Some Vendors May Offer
Now, apart from the standard audits and tests, many CERT-In empanelled vendors (like us at Peneto Labs) also offer a few extras that can make a big difference to your security game. Let me walk you through some of them:
1. Red Team Exercises
Ever wondered how your team would react to a real-world cyberattack? That’s exactly what red teaming helps with. It simulates an actual attack scenario to test your people, process, and tech — all in a safe, controlled way.
2. Mobile & API Security Testing
If you have apps or APIs, you already know they’re a favorite target for hackers. We help you spot and fix the vulnerabilities before anyone else does.
3. DevSecOps Integration Support
Planning to shift security left? We can help you bake security into your development process from the start — no last-minute surprises.
4. Security Awareness Training
Sometimes, your biggest risk isn’t software — it’s people. We offer simple, hands-on training sessions to help your team stay alert and avoid common traps like phishing emails.
5. Purple Teaming
In Purple team, both of our teams; defensive (blue team) and offensive (red team) work together and collaborate via communication and sharing knowledge to improve overall cybersecurity posture of a company.
These services aren’t mandatory but if you’re serious about long-term security, they’re worth considering.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a CERT-In empanelled company ensures your systems are tested, audited, and secured by experts recognized by India’s top cybersecurity authority CERT-In.
These vendors bring more than just compliance—they bring clarity, accountability, and a structured path to security.
CERT- In has empanelled Peneto Labs to conduct information security auditing services. At Peneto Labs, we offer reliable and regulation-aligned security audits for businesses of all sizes.
Want to ensure your business meets the latest compliance standards and stays protected? Reach out to our team at Peneto Labs today and schedule your certified security audit or VAPT.
Let’s secure your business—together.