In the context of cybersecurity, a recurring question about Pentesting is: “Why execute a Pentest on a recurring basis?” At first glance, it may seem only like an additional expense or an obligation resulting from regulatory requirements.
However, Pentesting stands out as one of the practices with the greatest impact on Return on Investment (ROI) in information security. Beyond the identification of vulnerabilities, it enables the practical evaluation of the attack surface, the validation of the effectiveness of existing controls, and the proactive mitigation of risks which, if unknown, could result in incidents with high financial and reputational impact for organizations.
The real cost of not investing in Pentesting
According to the IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2025, the average cost of a data breach exceeds USD 4.5 million. In Portugal, although the values are lower, the consequences are equally impactful for the business of organizations:
- Regulatory fines (e.g., GDPR, NIS2, DORA).
- Interruption of operations and loss of productivity.
- Reputational damage and loss of customers.
A single successful attack can generate losses significantly higher than the investment required for the implementation of an annual Pentesting program.
Frequently asked question: how to justify the investment to the board?
Decision-makers tend to demand clear return indicators. The most effective way to communicate the value of Pentesting is to translate technical vulnerabilities into potential financial impacts (calculated through Return of Security Investment – ROSI).
In this way, Pentesting is no longer perceived as a simple “IT cost” but rather as a true instrument for business protection.
Conclusion
The investment in Pentesting should not be regarded merely as a service delivered occasionally, but as a strategic risk management decision. The return materializes in the mitigation of potential losses, the safeguarding of operational continuity, and the strengthening of trust with customers, partners, and regulatory entities. In a scenario where the question is no longer “if” but “when” an organization will be targeted, Pentesting is one of the most effective instruments. It reduces the exposure surface and validates the resilience of security controls, and it should preferably be performed on a continuous basis.
At Balwurk, we conduct CREST-accredited Pentests, designed to support organizations in the quantification of risks, the prevention of high-impact incidents, and the fulfilment of regulatory requirements, including DORA and NIS2.
Contact us and find out how to protect the future of your business.
