Do I need a penetration test for my website?

Most small and medium businesses don't need a penetration test initially. The most common security failures — missing DMARC, pre-consent tracking, deficient privacy policies — are all detectable by automated scanning. Start with a free scan, fix what it finds, then consider a penetration test if you handle sensitive data or run custom web applications.

What does a free website security scan check?

A free automated security scan checks your externally visible attack surface including TLS configuration, security headers, email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), GDPR compliance checks for cookies and privacy policy, and exposed software versions. Results are delivered in minutes with a letter grade and prioritized findings.

How often should I get a security audit?

Automated scans should run continuously or at least weekly. Security assessments should be repeated at least annually or after significant infrastructure changes. Penetration tests are typically done annually for organizations with mature security programs. Security is not a one-time expense — budget for ongoing monitoring.

How much does a penetration test cost in Sweden?

Penetration test costs in Sweden typically range from 30,000 to 50,000+ SEK depending on scope, methodology, and the size of the attack surface. Basic web application tests start lower, while comprehensive infrastructure tests with manual exploitation cost more. Our free automated scan provides a baseline assessment before committing to a full penetration test.

How Much Does a Website Security Audit Cost in 2026?

Q: How much does a website security audit cost?

Website security audit costs range across three tiers: free to 5,000 SEK for automated scans, 5,000-25,000 SEK for security assessments with manual review, and 30,000-150,000+ SEK for full penetration tests. Most small and medium businesses should start with automated scanning and fix the basics before investing in more expensive options.

"How much does a security audit cost?" is the wrong first question. The right question is: what do you actually need? A free automated scan, a mid-tier assessment, and a full penetration test answer fundamentally different questions. This guide breaks down the pricing, what you get at each level, and how to decide what makes sense for your situation.

Prices are based on the Swedish market in 2026. If you're getting quotes significantly outside these ranges, ask why.

The Three Tiers of Security Auditing

TIER 1

Automated Security Scan

Free

to 5,000 SEK/year

Automated scanners check your publicly visible attack surface: TLS configuration, security headers, email authentication, cookie consent, exposed software versions, and more. Results are delivered in minutes, not weeks.

WHAT YOU GET:

External attack surface assessment
TLS and encryption configuration
Email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
GDPR compliance checks (cookies, privacy policy)
Security header analysis
Letter grade with prioritized findings

BEST FOR:

Establishing a baseline
Quick health check before a meeting
Ongoing monitoring (scheduled scans)
Small businesses with limited budgets
Verifying fixes after remediation

Our SVAR scanner fits here. It runs 16 tests in under two minutes and is free for a single scan. We've used it to scan 597 Swedish law firms for our industry report, and the same technology is available to any business.

TIER 2

Security Assessment

5,000-25,000

SEK per assessment

A security assessment combines automated scanning with manual review by a security professional. The consultant interprets scanner results, tests for business logic issues that automation misses, and provides a written report with prioritized recommendations.

WHAT YOU GET:

Everything in Tier 1, plus:
Manual verification of automated findings
Basic authentication and session testing
Configuration review of public services
Written report with executive summary
Remediation guidance with priority ranking

BEST FOR:

Businesses handling sensitive data
Pre-certification preparation (ISO 27001)
Annual security reviews
Meeting NIS2 baseline requirements
Companies without in-house security staff

Typical timeline: 1-2 weeks from engagement to final report. Most of the cost is consultant time for manual testing and report writing.

TIER 3

Penetration Test: Cost and Scope

30,000-150,000+

SEK per engagement

A penetration test is a simulated attack by skilled testers who attempt to break into your systems using the same techniques as real attackers. This is the most thorough assessment, but also the most expensive and time-consuming. Understanding penetration test cost starts with scoping the engagement correctly.

WHAT YOU GET:

Everything in Tier 2, plus:
Active exploitation attempts
Business logic vulnerability testing
Social engineering (if scoped)
Internal network testing (if scoped)
Detailed technical report with proof of concepts
Re-test after remediation (usually included)

BEST FOR:

Regulatory requirements (financial, healthcare)
Custom web applications with user data
Pre-launch security validation
After a security incident
Organizations with mature security programs

Typical timeline: 2-6 weeks depending on scope. Prices vary significantly based on the number of applications, IP ranges, and testing depth. Always get a scoping call before accepting a quote.

Comparison at a Glance

	Automated Scan	Assessment	Pentest
Cost	Free - 5K SEK	5K - 25K SEK	30K - 150K+ SEK
Time to Results	Minutes	1-2 weeks	2-6 weeks
Depth	External surface	External + config	Full exploitation
Human Review	No	Yes	Yes (extensive)
GDPR/Compliance	Yes	Yes	Limited
Repeatable	Daily/weekly	Quarterly/annual	Annual

What Most Businesses Actually Need

Here's the uncomfortable truth: most small and medium Swedish businesses don't need a penetration test. They need to fix the basics first. When we scan websites, the most common failures are in TLS configuration, missing DMARC, pre-consent tracking, and deficient privacy policies. These are all Tier 1 findings.

From our data: The average score across 597 scanned law firms was 59.1 out of 100. None achieved an A grade. The issues holding them back were all detectable by automated scanning. Not a single one required a penetration test to find.

The smart approach is to start with Tier 1, fix what it finds, then reassess. If you're handling sensitive data (client records, financial information, health data) and have a custom web application, move to Tier 2 or Tier 3. If you're running a standard CMS with plugins, Tier 1 with regular rescanning covers most of your risk.

Paying 50,000 SEK for a penetration test when you haven't configured DMARC or implemented cookie consent is like hiring a locksmith to audit your vault when the front door is open.

Hidden Costs to Watch For

Remediation Is Not Included

Most security audits tell you what's wrong but don't fix anything. Budget for remediation separately. For Tier 1 findings, remediation typically costs 5,000-15,000 SEK if outsourced. For Tier 3 findings, it depends entirely on the vulnerability.

Scope Creep in Pentests

Penetration test quotes are scoped to specific targets. If your infrastructure is larger than initially assessed, expect the price to increase. Always provide a complete inventory of in-scope assets before getting a quote.

Recurring Costs

Security is not a one-time expense. Automated scans should run continuously. Assessments should be repeated at least annually. Budget for ongoing monitoring, not just a single engagement.

Start With the Free Scan

Before spending anything, find out where you stand. Our website audit service starts with a free 16-test scan. Our SVAR scan runs those 16 tests in under two minutes and gives you a prioritized list of issues. Most businesses discover they have more Tier 1 problems to fix than they expected. Start there, fix the basics, then decide if you need deeper testing. See our services for remediation help, or check what non-compliance actually costs.