Why Penetration Testing Matters for Riyadh Businesses
Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia, is gradually transforming, economically, digitally, and technologically, driven by Vision 2030. The pace at which the city has been evolving to date is equally challenged with cyber threats, both existing and emerging. Current trends showcase businesses across sectors in the region relentlessly facing cyberattacks, rising in complexity, sophistication, and frequency.
Manifested by phishing, ransomware, social engineering, and new-age AI-powered threats with expansion of digital attack surfaces, these more than necessitate the need to Act Upon to prevent them in the first place. While such high-impact and relentlessly happening cyberattacks are threatening the current state of security and compliance in Riyadh, this unanimously speaks of adopting robust cybersecurity measures. Leveraging top-notch cybersecurity services like VAPT (Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing) is the need of the hour.
With the cybersecurity market booming in Saudi Arabia at 5.99% annually as per CAGR 2025-2030, the current article attempts to curate a list of the 7 best penetration companies in the region, joining Riyadh’s efforts to look for expert VAPT services.
Cybersecurity Laws in Saudi Arabia and their Role in Achieving Compliance in Riyadh
While prospective VAPT specialists in Riyadh serve to maintain cybersecurity, they are also expected to provide expert assistance in meeting compliance requirements in the region. Adjunct to this, there exists relevant regulatory standards like National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) guidelines and Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) to govern cybersecurity practices in Riyadh.
- National Cybersecurity Authority: One of the cybersecurity regulatory frameworks in Saudi Arabia, NCA helps foster cybersecurity resilience to retain trust towards supporting growth and prosperity for the nation.
- SAMA: Now referred to as the Saudi Central Bank, SAMA sits central to ensuring financial security and monetary stability for the nation by supervising BFSI (Banks, Financial Services, and Insurance) operations in Saudi Arabia.
With this much to say, let’s now move towards listing the 7 best known penetration testing companies in Riyadh.
Criteria for Selecting The Best Cybersecurity Companies in Riyadh
Riyadh is in need of top-tier cybersecurity services that can efficiently handle and combat evolving cyber threats before they strike. However, there are predefined criteria to pick the best ones among the existing providers in the region.
Let’s get to know what these are:
Industry experience & expertise
The first in the row, a cybersecurity firms’ expertise and knowledge can well be ascertained by determining its level of experience, and expertise in solving industry-level security concerns or challenges.
The selected cybersecurity provider should also demonstrate practical knowledge and problem-solving capabilities when securing critical industries in Riyadh. These include the Energy sector, Financial services, Healthcare, government entities that own, operate, and manage Critical National Infrastructure (CNI).
Certifications
For a cybersecurity firm to get recognized, holding relevant certifications is vital. These are tangible proof of its ability and credibility to offer superior-quality security service.
Not only these, by helping business clients meet regulatory compliance and attain competitive advantage as a result, cybersecurity providers achieve the worth that make them outstanding and competent among their peers and rivals.
Scroll below for the relevant certifications that prospective cybersecurity professionals hold.
• CREST
A UK-based nonprofit organization, certification with CREST (Council of Registered Ethical Security Testers) holds international recognition for regulating penetration testing service providers. As a business operating in Riyadh or across Saudi Arabia, you can genuinely trust CREST-certified penetration testers for their swift and reliable service-offering capabilities. Also note that CREST certification has received significant popularity in Saudi Arabia.
• OSCP
Short for Offensive Security Certified Professional, OSCP is a certification for ethical hacking from Offensive Security. Penetration Testers, specifically ethical hackers, attest to OSCP for deriving hands-on experience in carrying out successful real-world exploitation of security vulnerabilities in your systems, applications, and network.
• CEH
Another globally recognized penetration testing certifier, CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) qualifies information security professionals for their expertise in evaluating and analyzing an organization’s security posture. The certified ethical hackers simulate real-world attacks with a fair and controlled intention of mitigating known vulnerabilities detected through the testing process.
• ISO 27001
The internationally recognized certification program, ISO 27001 is more inclined to making organizations certified rather than to individual penetration testers. The ISO 27001 certification process necessitates companies in Riyadh undertaking penetration tests and initial assessment to implement ISO 27001-compliant ISMS (Information Security Management Systems).
Service offerings
When seeking a penetration testing service provider in Riyadh, it would be worthwhile for businesses operating in the city to select one, who can offer specialized services like network, web and mobile applications, cloud security, or infrastructure. Note that the evolving digital landscape of Saudi Arabia requires penetration test companies, who can diligently help you secure any or all of these parameters.
Reputation, client base, and regional presence
It would also be appreciative to look for a penetration testing service provider in Riyadh, who has attained reputation, has built a strong client base, and has also attained a favorable regional presence.
Alignment with Saudi cybersecurity frameworks
Riyadh makes it compulsory for organizations to adhere to relevant Saudi-based cybersecurity frameworks like NCA, SAMA, and CITC. Penetration testing service providers need to integrate these standards when serving their clients in the region, especially those operating under critical industrial segments like Finances, Healthcare, Oil & Gas, etc.
The Top 7 Penetration Testing Companies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
1. Wattlecorp Cybersecurity Labs
Established In : 2018
Specializes In : Cybersecurity Consultation, VAPT (API, Network, and Mobile and Web applications)
Wattlecorp Cybersecurity Labs has come a long way in offering world-class cybersecurity services to its clients across the globe. Through continuous improvizations and innovations in securing businesses, we could effectively instill the seriousness of implementing robust security measures to stay ahead of emerging cyber threats and attacks.
Our penetration testing services for Saudi Arabian businesses are closely aligned with its stringent cybersecurity frameworks to ensure security and compliance. Based on the varied needs of our clients in this region, our penetration testing services cover:
- Vulnerability assessment and penetration testing: We comprehensively carry out vulnerability analysis and penetration testing to detect, assess, and remove potential vulnerabilities from your systems, network, and applications.
- API penetration testing: Our team performs extensive API pentesting to identify hidden flaws within your APIs’ security coverage.
- Mobile app penetration testing: We conduct a deep test of your mobile applications to detect vulnerabilities, patching them before real-world hackers get there.
- Network penetration testing: Here, we conduct a comprehensive security audit of your Firewalls and Servers, including net equipments.
- Web application penetration testing: Identifies and mitigates security flaws within your web applications to help secure your online services.
- Wireless penetration testing: Protects your wireless infrastructure, devices, and systems by proactively detecting and mitigating vulnerabilities.
In serving Saudi businesses through these variants of pen testing, we encourage all-round protection with an overarching aim to strengthen their security posture and resilience.
We have a dedicated team of globally-certified pen testers, who provide round-the-clock security. This allows businesses to focus on their core requirements. Well-versed in cybersecurity frameworks and relevant regulatory standards, they help you achieve compliance by meticulously navigating the complex laws that Saudi Arabia enforces. Whether that be NCA, PDPL, ISO 27001, or SAMA, be rest assured of becoming and staying compliant through improving your security posture.
Visit our website to know more about how we deliver our above-mentioned range of penetration testing service.
2. CyberNX
Established In : 2018
Specializes In : Cloud Security, VAPT, and Red Teaming
One of the leading cybersecurity companies in Saudi Arabia, CyberNx’s cybersecurity services primarily include offering Cloud Security, Red Teaming, and VAPT to secure cloud applications, also helping its clients achieve compliance with Saudi-specific cybersecurity regulations (NCA, CITC, SAMA, and Cloud Computing Framework).
Their penetration testing service package also includes:
- API Security Testing
- Network Penetration Testing
- Web and Mobile Application Penetration Testing
- Social Engineering Testing
3. Help AG
Established In : 2004
Specializes In : Cybersecurity service, Managed Security Services
Known as the cybersecurity arm of e& enterprise (formerly Etisalat Group) in Saudi Arabia, Help AG is the oldest company in the country, offering cybersecurity services that include:
- Multi-Managed Services and Advanced Solution
- 360-Degree Integrated Digital Portfolio
- Integrated automation & human intelligence
- Offensive Security & Vulnerability Assessment
4. Factosecure
Established In : 2024
Specializes In : Cybersecurity advisory and penetration testing
Coming under #4 is Factosecure, considered as one of the best cybersecurity companies in Saudi Arabia. Dedicated to offering security services that primarily include penetration testing, Factosecure is also adept at aptly managing cyber risks for their distribution and technology partners. The penetration testing services of this company also cover:
- Application and Cloud Security
- Network and Endpoint Security
5. Joushen Cybersecurity
Established In : 2018
Specializes In : Cybersecurity consulting and penetration testing
Joushen Cybersecurity is one of the prominent security service providers in Saudi Arabia, offering expert penetration testing services apart from consultation. They also offer GRC (governance, risk, and compliance) services.
6. Qualys Inc
Established in: 1999
Specializes In : Cloud Security and compliance
Coming down, we’ve Qualys Inc, a renowned Saudi-based cybersecurity company. Their expertise in regards to security service offerings includes:
- Cloud-based vulnerability management
- SaaS-driven penetration testing
- Compliance services
7. StrongBox IT
Established In : 2023
Specializes In : Penetration Testing, Other Security Services
Though they are global cybersecurity service providers, Strong Box IT holds a significant presence in Saudi Arabia. The penetration testing service that this company provides in particular, covers areas like:
- Application Security Testing
- Infrastructure Security
Besides these, the company also offers compliance service alongside providing cloud security and performs advanced security testing through Red Teaming Exercises to enhance your security posture and ensure compliance.
How to Choose the Right Penetration Testing Partner in Riyadh?
Now that we’ve listed out the 7 top leading cybersecurity-cum-penetration testing companies in Saudi Arabia, it’s time to choose the one that best fits the security needs of your business. With security being served, compliance flows in automatically, and you should seek a penetration testing company that duly supports this.
Note that while penetration testing helps detect hidden security flaws, assess, and address them to prevent hacker exploitation, it cannot always ensure protection. This means that you should be vigilant enough to perform continuous monitoring, at least regularly as your business and its nature demands. Engaging in ongoing checks and heeding to your business objectives at the same time can be truly overwhelming. You need to partner with a cybersecurity service provider, who can constantly check on your security while you focus on your business needs.
That being stated, who you can rely and trust on is the next question. This is where Wattlecorp comes to your assistance. But why should you trust this company as a penetration testing service provider? The upcoming section will explain why.
Why is Wattlecorp considered the Best Penetration Testing Company in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia?
5 Reasons Why You Should Choose Wattlecorp as your penetration testing service provider
Here are the five major reasons why you choose Wattlecorp as a penetration tester in Saudi Arabia:
1.Expert and Experienced Professionals
No matter where we have expanded our service to, we at Wattlecorp make sure our staff is skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced enough to solve the different security-related issues of our clients.
By leveraging advanced techniques and practices to detect vulnerabilities within your systems, network, and applications, we provide malicious hackers feeble chances to enter, exploit, and attack your systems.
2.Hybrid Approach To Security Testing
Our specialized approach to VAPT involves utilizing both automated tools and manual penetration testing to expose and exploit hidden vulnerabilities.
3.Appropriate-cum-Actionable Fixation Guidance
We do this with a fair intention to assess and improve your security posture and resilience by recommending appropriate mitigation studies through detailed documentation.
4.Strategic Security Support
We are guided by our mission to offer you high-profile strategic support for securing your business in Saudi Arabia. Regardless of the region you’re operating in, be rest assured that our expert team is always guarding your gates while you stay stress-free. This allows you to focus on your core business requirements besides security.
5.Helping Saudi Businesses Scale through Security
Our advanced security service through penetration testing, is something that reckons you to invest in. By engaging in continuous or regular penetration testing, you maximize your chances of achieving improved ROI (return on investment) and customer value.
Your Road To Improved Security and Trust With Wattlecorp
Saudi Arabia’s growing cyber threats and increasing security incidents reinforces the seriousness of considering and implementing robust security measures, especially in cyber-risk-prone areas like Riyadh.
With the nation heading towards accelerating its Vision 2030 goals, seeking qualified and certified penetration testers has become a dire necessity to upgrade its security and compliance.
Saudi businesses, therefore, need expert and reliable security service professionals whom they can partner with to safeguard their critical digital assets and information with due responsibility and care.
Wattlecorp, a pioneer in offering expert-led and advanced cybersecurity services through its penetration testing capabilities, deserves a place among the top 7 penetration testing companies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Visit our penetration testing services and explore how we fits among the best penetration testing companies in Saudi Arabia!
