Number of IP Addresses and URLs
More targets means more testing hours. A single web application costs less than an engagement covering 50 external IPs and three web apps. Every additional target adds time for reconnaissance, testing and reporting.
Pricing Guide
How Much Does a Penetration Test Cost in Canada?
A penetration test in Canada costs between $5,000 and $45,000+ CAD depending on scope, target count and engagement type. External network pentests start at $5,000 CAD. Web application tests range from $8,000 to $25,000 CAD. Full red team engagements start at $25,000 CAD. Sherlock Forensics provides penetration testing from Vancouver with 20+ years experience.
The price of a penetration test depends on what you are testing, how deep the engagement goes and what compliance requirements drive it. This page breaks down exact pricing by test type so you can budget accurately before engaging a vendor.
2026 Pricing
Penetration Testing Pricing in Canada
Prices below reflect the Canadian market in 2026 based on engagements scoped by Sherlock Forensics. Actual cost depends on target count, application complexity and compliance requirements.
| Test Type | Price Range (CAD) | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| External Network Pentest | $5,000 - $15,000 | 1-2 weeks |
| Web Application Pentest | $8,000 - $25,000 | 2-3 weeks |
| Internal Network Pentest | $10,000 - $20,000 | 1-2 weeks |
| Full Red Team Engagement | $25,000 - $45,000+ | 4-8 weeks |
| SaaS Platform Pentest | $12,000 - $30,000 | 2-4 weeks |
| Quick Security Audit | $1,500 | 3-5 days |
All prices are in Canadian dollars. Learn more about our penetration testing methodology.
Cost Factors
What Affects the Price
No two penetration tests are identical. The final price depends on the size and complexity of your environment. Here are the six primary cost drivers.
Application Complexity
A static marketing site takes far less effort than a multi-tenant SaaS platform with role-based access, payment processing and API integrations. Custom business logic requires manual testing that automated scanners cannot replicate.
Compliance Requirements
Engagements driven by SOC 2, PCI DSS or ISO 27001 require specific testing methodologies, evidence collection and report formatting. Compliance-driven pentests take longer because the deliverables must satisfy auditor expectations.
Retesting Included or Extra
Some vendors charge separately for retest validation after you remediate findings. Sherlock Forensics includes a retest in the Full Security Assessment package at no additional cost within 90 days of report delivery.
Reporting Depth
A basic vulnerability list is cheaper than a full executive report with CVSS scoring, proof-of-concept exploits, attack chain diagrams and step-by-step remediation guidance. All Sherlock Forensics reports include both executive and technical sections.
Urgency
Standard engagements are scheduled 1-2 weeks out. If you need results before a funding round deadline, audit window or insurance renewal, expedited testing is available at a premium. Rush engagements typically carry a 25-50% surcharge.
Insurance Coverage
Does Cyber Insurance Cover Penetration Testing?
Yes, Many Policies Do
Many Canadian cyber insurance policies now cover or subsidize penetration testing as a proactive security measure. Insurers recognize that regular testing reduces claim frequency and severity. Some policies reimburse the full cost of annual pentests. Others require a pentest before they will issue or renew a policy.
How to Check Your Coverage
Review your policy's "loss prevention" or "risk mitigation" section. Contact your broker and ask specifically about penetration testing reimbursement. Some insurers maintain a list of approved vendors. Sherlock Forensics is an approved vendor for multiple Canadian insurers.
Further Reading
We wrote a detailed guide on this topic: Does Your Cyber Insurance Cover Penetration Testing? It covers which insurers in Canada offer this benefit, how to file a claim and what documentation you need.
Why Sherlock
Why Sherlock Forensics
Years of Experience
Operating since 2006. We have tested networks, applications and infrastructure across every major industry in Canada including finance, healthcare, government, technology and critical infrastructure.
CISSP-ISSAP-ISSMP Certified
Our lead examiner holds CISSP with both the ISSAP (Architecture) and ISSMP (Management) concentrations. Fewer than 2,000 people worldwide hold both concentrations simultaneously.
Vancouver-Based
Headquartered in the Greater Vancouver area with offices in Burnaby and Coquitlam. Your data stays in Canadian jurisdiction. On-site testing available across British Columbia.
Insurance-Approved Vendor
Recognized by multiple Canadian cyber insurance providers. Your pentest may be covered or subsidized by your existing policy. Check your eligibility.
Canadian Jurisdiction Expertise
We understand PIPEDA, provincial privacy legislation and Canadian regulatory requirements. Reports are structured to satisfy Canadian auditors and legal teams.
Court-Qualified Expert Witnesses
Our examiners have been qualified as expert witnesses in Canadian courts. If a pentest finding leads to litigation or regulatory action, we can provide expert testimony.
Packages
Sherlock Forensics Pentest Packages
Three fixed-price packages for predictable budgeting. Custom scoping available for larger environments.
| Feature | Quick Audit | Standard | Full Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,500 CAD | $5,000 CAD | $12,000 CAD |
| External testing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Internal testing | - | - | Yes (ShadowTap) |
| OWASP Top 10 | Basic | Full | Full |
| Manual exploitation | - | Yes | Yes |
| Social engineering | - | - | Yes |
| Debrief call | - | 30 min | 60 min |
| Retest included | - | - | Yes (90 days) |
| Timeline | 3-5 days | 10-15 days | 15-20 days |
| Best for | MVPs, startups | Production apps | Enterprise |
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
What is the average cost of a penetration test in Canada?
A penetration test in Canada costs between $5,000 and $45,000+ CAD depending on scope, target count and engagement type. External network pentests start at $5,000 CAD. Web application tests range from $8,000 to $25,000 CAD. Full red team engagements start at $25,000 CAD. For smaller environments, Sherlock Forensics offers a Quick Security Audit at $1,500 CAD with results in 5 business days.
How long does a penetration test take?
Timelines range from 1 to 8 weeks depending on the engagement type. A Quick Security Audit takes 3-5 business days. External network pentests take 1-2 weeks. Web application tests take 2-3 weeks. Internal network pentests take 1-2 weeks. Full red team engagements run 4-8 weeks. Report delivery follows within 5 business days of testing completion.
Is a penetration test worth the cost?
A single data breach costs Canadian businesses an average of $6.94M USD according to IBM's 2024 Cost of a Data Breach report. A penetration test at $5,000-$45,000 CAD identifies exploitable vulnerabilities before attackers do. The math is straightforward: spending $5,000 to find a SQL injection that could expose your customer database is a fraction of the breach cost, legal fees and regulatory penalties.
Do I need a pentest for SOC 2 compliance?
SOC 2 Type II requires evidence of security testing as part of the Common Criteria. While a penetration test is not explicitly mandated by the AICPA Trust Services Criteria, auditors expect documented proof that you test for vulnerabilities regularly. Most organizations pursuing SOC 2 include annual penetration testing in their control set. See our compliance penetration testing page for details on SOC 2, PCI DSS and ISO 27001 requirements.
Can I get a pentest for under $5,000?
Yes. Sherlock Forensics offers a Quick Security Audit at $1,500 CAD. This includes automated vulnerability scanning with manual validation for a single external target. Results are delivered in 5 business days with a full report. For production applications that need manual exploitation testing, business logic analysis and proof-of-concept exploits, the Standard Penetration Test starts at $5,000 CAD.
What is the difference between a vulnerability scan and a penetration test?
A vulnerability scan is an automated tool that checks your systems against a database of known vulnerabilities. It runs in minutes and produces a list of potential issues. A penetration test goes further: a human tester manually exploits vulnerabilities, tests business logic flaws, chains multiple weaknesses together and attempts lateral movement across your environment. Scanners find potential weaknesses. Penetration testers prove what an attacker can actually do with those weaknesses. Most organizations need both.
Authority Resources
Standards and References
Methodology Sources
Related Pages
Certifications
Our offensive security team holds recognized certifications.
CISSP
ISSAP
ISSMP
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