Cyberattacks in India are rising at a pace no business can ignore. Security incidents jumped from 10.29 lakh in 2022 to 22.68 lakh in 2024, (source) showing how fast threats are evolving and how aggressively attackers now target digital systems.
Mobile applications, in particular, have become one of the easiest entry points for cybercriminals because they handle sensitive customer data, financial transactions, and personal information every single day.
In this article, we will break down why CERT-In empanelled partners have become the preferred choice for businesses and how choosing the right vendor can protect your brand, your customers, and your growth.
Reasons to choose CERT-In Empanelled Vendors for Mobile Application Penetration Testing
Whether you run a fintech application, a D2C brand, a healthcare platform, or any business that depends on mobile users, understanding when, why, and who to choose for mobile application penetration testing is crucial.
This is exactly why more businesses are turning to CERT-In empanelled vendors who meet strict standards of expertise, reliability, and compliance for their mobile application penetration testing. Here are main reasons to choose CERT-In empanelled vendors for mobile application penetration testing:
1. Recognized, Trusted, and Compliant
A CERT-In empanelled vendor is not just a cybersecurity company; they’re a government-empanelled testing partner. This matters because it gives you:
- Higher credibility in front of customers, investors, and partners
- Adherence to national security standards
- Compliance with strict guidelines for data protection
For sectors like BFSI, healthcare, logistics, or government-linked apps, an empanelled vendor adds a layer of trust you cannot get elsewhere.
2. Mandatory for Regulated Industries
Some businesses must engage with CERT-In empanelled auditors. It’s not optional for them.
Industries where CERT-In audits are mandatory:
- Banking & Fintech (RBI mandates strong cybersecurity controls)
- Insurance (as per IRDAI security guidelines)
- Securities & Trading (SEBI cybersecurity requirements)
- Government IT Projects (NIC, MeitY, Smart Cities, eGovernance apps)
Even if you’re integrating with bank APIs or handling payments, many partners will demand a CERT-In report before onboarding.
3. A Requirement for Government Contracts
If your business deals with government tenders, mobile applications, portals, or backend systems, a CERT-In security audit becomes essential. Without it, your bid may not even move to the next stage.
Where are CERT-In vendors required?
1. Safe-to-Host certifications for special cases
CERT-In empanelled vendors are mandatory for conducting security audits before hosting applications on government or critical infrastructure servers. Their reports ensure your app meets required security standards and is safe for deployment.
2. Government app development
Any mobile or web app developed for government departments must be pentested preferably by CERT-In approved auditors. This ensures compliance, credibility, and protection against national-level cyber threats.
3. Projects hosted on NIC
Applications deployed on National Informatics Centre (NIC) infrastructure require a CERT-In security audit report to validate security readiness. Without it, your project cannot go live on NIC-hosted environments.
4. PSU integrations
Public Sector Units demand CERT-In audited security clearance before integrating external apps, APIs, or platforms. This ensures risk-free collaboration and prevents vulnerabilities from entering government networks.
5. National-level platforms (education, healthcare, utilities)
Critical platforms handling sensitive citizen data like education portals, healthcare systems, and utility services, must undergo CERT-In-approved testing. This guarantees resilience against large-scale cyberattacks and compliance with national security guidelines.
Choosing an empanelled vendor helps you stay eligible and competitive in these high-value contracts.
4. Higher Testing Quality and Standardized Methodologies
CERT-In empanelled vendors follow strict, standardized testing frameworks such as:
- OWASP MASVS
- OWASP MASTG
- CERT-In audit guidelines
- Industry-specific security requirements (PCI-DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, DPDP Act)
You get a more accurate, deeper, and more reliable penetration test, not a quick scan or a checklist-based audit. The focus is on real-world attack simulations, covering:
- API-level vulnerabilities
- Authentication bypass flaws
- Encryption weaknesses
- Logic-level abuses
- Backend misconfigurations
- Data leakage risks
This is why their reports hold more weight than regular vendor assessments.
5. Accepted by Banks, Enterprises & Regulatory Bodies
One of the biggest reasons businesses choose CERT-In empanelled vendors is simple: their reports, if not lacking any particular mandate, get accepted often. Their security audit results are recognized by:
- Banks
- NBFCs
- Insurance firms
- Government departments
- Enterprises
- Cloud service providers
- Compliance regulators
This reduces friction in partnerships and accelerates your onboarding or approval process.
6. Better Support During Compliance and Breach Response
CERT-In empanelled vendors don’t just test your mobile application; they act as strategic cybersecurity partners. They help with:
- Compliance mapping
- Security documentation
- Audit preparation
- Risk ratings and prioritization
- Remediation guidance
- Re-testing after fixes
If a breach occurs, CERT-In empanelled teams can support you in meeting legal reporting requirements and managing the incident effectively.
7. Increased Customer Trust & Brand Reputation
Today’s users care deeply about privacy and security. When you work with CERT-In empanelled pentesting company, you show your audience that your mobile app meets national cybersecurity standards. This builds:
- Stronger user trust
- Higher retention
- Better app-store ratings
- Improved brand image
In industries like fintech, healthcare, and edtech, this trust directly impacts business growth.
8. Reduced Risk, Reduced Liability
A CERT-In security audit gives you peace of mind because it reduces:
- Data breach risks
- Compliance penalties
- Financial loss
- Legal complications
- Customer backlash
For businesses that store sensitive data, this assurance is priceless.
About Peneto Labs, an Expert Mobile Application Penetration Testing Company
At Peneto Labs, we offer advanced mobile application penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and security compliance services. Backed by experienced cybersecurity auditors and industry-standard methodologies, we help businesses secure their apps, meet regulatory requirements, and protect sensitive user data. Peneto Labs has been empanelled by CERT-In to conduct information security auditing services.
Whether you need routine mobile application security testing or audit support, our team, with deep technical knowledge, delivers reliable, high-quality results tailored to your security needs.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a CERT-In empanelled vendor is no longer just a “good security practice”; it’s a smart business decision. Whether you’re aiming for compliance, protecting user data, improving brand trust, or securing government partnerships, working with an empanelled vendor offers unmatched credibility and protection.
If your mobile app handles sensitive data or operates in a regulated environment, choosing a CERT-In empanelled penetration testing company is not just recommended; it’s the right move.