Recurring Pentest (PTaaS): Penetration Testing as a Service Ensuring Continuous System Security
- Douglas Leal
- May 13
- 4 min read
With the increasing sophistication of cyberattacks and the constant evolution of threats, running a single pentest is no longer enough to ensure the security of your systems. Recurring pentesting has proven to be essential for maintaining continuous protection of networks, applications, and infrastructures over time.
In this post, we’ll discuss why recurring pentesting is crucial for companies of all sizes and how it can help identify new vulnerabilities as they emerge and evolve. Keep reading to understand how this process can ensure your cybersecurity remains strong and effective.
What Is Recurring Pentest?
Recurring pentest is a cybersecurity approach in which penetration tests are conducted regularly, at defined intervals, to continuously evaluate system security, identify new vulnerabilities, and ensure that previous mitigation efforts are still effective.
Unlike a one-time pentest—where the focus is on assessing the system at a specific moment—recurring pentesting aims to test for new threats, system changes, and the effectiveness of fixes applied after previously identified issues.
Why Is Recurring Pentest Essential?
1. New Threats and Vulnerabilities
The threat landscape is constantly shifting, with new malware types, exploits, and vulnerabilities being discovered regularly. As attacker tactics and technologies evolve rapidly, what was considered secure a few months ago may no longer be enough today. Recurring pentests help you identify these new threats and adjust your defenses accordingly.
⚠️ Example: A system that was tested a year ago might now be vulnerable to a newly discovered exploit introduced by a software update. Recurring pentesting helps uncover this risk.
2. System Changes and Updates
As new features are added to applications and infrastructures, and software updates are deployed, security can be affected. Source code changes, new API integrations, or server configuration modifications can introduce new vulnerabilities. Recurring pentests ensure that these changes do not open security gaps in your system.
🔄 Example: After a system update or code modification, a recurring pentest can help verify whether the changes have impacted the system’s overall security or introduced new flaws.
3. Validating the Effectiveness of Fixes
After identifying a vulnerability during a pentest, it’s crucial to implement the necessary fixes. However, ensuring those fixes are truly effective isn’t always immediate. Recurring pentesting helps verify whether previously addressed vulnerabilities have actually been resolved—and whether new issues may have been introduced as a result of the changes.
🔧 Example: Even after fixing an SQL injection vulnerability, a recurring pentest can confirm whether the patch was effective and that no other security issues were inadvertently introduced.
4. Adapting to Changes in the IT Environment
Organizations frequently change their IT infrastructures. This might include cloud migration, adapting to new regulations, or integrating new tools and technologies. These shifts can affect system security, so running regular pentests is crucial to ensure that security keeps pace with these changes.
💻 Example: If your company has moved part of its services to the cloud, recurring pentests can assess the cloud’s security and ensure there are no unexpected risks tied to the new environment.
How to Implement Recurring Pentests
Implementing a recurring pentest program involves more than just running tests at regular intervals. Here are the main steps to ensure your pentest strategy is effective:
1. Define the Testing Frequency
The frequency of recurring pentests depends on your system’s complexity, the pace of technological change, and the sensitivity of the data involved. In some cases, quarterly or biannual tests may be enough, while in highly dynamic environments—such as online platforms or e-commerce sites—monthly testing may be necessary.
📅 Example: If your company handles sensitive data like financial or personal information, monthly pentests may be the best option to ensure vulnerabilities are identified promptly.
2. Choose the Pentest Approach
Selecting the right pentest approach is key. Options include Black Box pentesting (where the tester has no knowledge of the system) and White Box pentesting (with full access to source code and infrastructure). The best choice depends on your organization’s specific needs and the system being tested.
🔍 Example: If you’re developing a new application, running a White Box pentest can be more effective at identifying flaws during the development process—before the app goes live.
3. Embed Pentesting in Your Security Culture
Recurring pentests should be part of your organization’s security culture. This means involving development teams, IT staff, and security managers in the process—ensuring pentest findings are taken seriously and that fixes are implemented promptly.
👥 Example: Your development team should be aware of pentest results and be prepared to apply fixes efficiently to prevent future vulnerabilities.
4. Document Results and Corrective Actions
At the end of each recurring pentest, the results report should be detailed—highlighting discovered vulnerabilities, severity levels, and recommended corrective actions. This report should be used to enhance security practices and ensure ongoing protection.
📊 Example: The pentest report can help prioritize vulnerabilities, allowing the security team to focus first on the most critical issues.
Conclusion
Recurring pentesting is a fundamental practice for maintaining the continuous security of systems, networks, and applications. By performing pentests regularly, your company will be better prepared to defend against new threats and unknown vulnerabilities—and will ensure that past security patches remain effective over time.
As cybercrime becomes more advanced and sophisticated, cybersecurity must evolve with it. Don’t leave your organization vulnerable—invest in a recurring pentest program to protect your data, your systems, and your reputation.
