If you’re building a SaaS product and aiming for SOC 2 compliance, you’ve likely come across the term “penetration testing.” But what does it actually mean in the context of SOC 2—and why do auditors care?
In this guide, we break it down for non-security folks, giving you a clear path from confusion to confidence.
What is Penetration Testing?
Ethical hackers use penetration testing, also known as “pen testing,” to simulate a cyberattack and find weaknesses in your systems before actual attackers do. It’s more than just a scan; it’s a methodical, manual and automated procedure meant to simulate how an actual adversary might take advantage of holes in your environment.
For SaaS companies, this might include testing your:
- Web applications
- APIs
- Cloud infrastructure
- Authentication flows
- Third-party integrations
Why Penetration Testing Matters for SOC 2
SOC 2 is all about proving you’re secure and trustworthy. Pen testing supports that by:
- Showing you proactively identify and mitigate risks
- Aligning with key Trust Service Criteria (especially CC6 and CC7)
- Giving auditors confidence in your security maturity
Even though SOC 2 doesn’t explicitly mandate penetration testing, most auditors expect it—especially for Type II reports.
Penetration Testing vs Vulnerability Scanning
It’s easy to confuse these two, but they’re very different:
Feature | Vulnerability Scan | Penetration Test |
---|---|---|
Automated? | Yes | No (mostly manual) |
Depth | Surface-level | Deep, risk-based |
Exploitation | No | Yes |
SOC 2 Valid | Not sufficient alone | Strongly recommended |
If your only evidence is a vulnerability scan, your auditor may ask for more.
When to Schedule a Pen Test
- Before your SOC 2 audit window begins
- After major infrastructure changes
- Annually, as a best practice
Some SaaS teams also pen test after remediation to show issues were fixed—a huge plus for auditors.

What a SOC 2-Ready Pen Test Looks Like
A proper pen test for SOC 2 should include:
- Clear scope tied to your in-scope systems
- Manual exploitation attempts
- Documentation of findings, risks, and recommendations
- Evidence of remediation and retesting (if needed)
Final Thoughts
Penetration testing is important for delivering software that your customers can rely on, not just for compliance. It’s one of the most obvious ways to demonstrate to SOC 2 that you take security seriously.
Want to See What a Real Pen Test Report Looks Like?
Book a free SOC 2 readiness call with Bluefire Redteam. We’ll walk you through how our real-world testing approach helps SaaS teams pass audits—and stay secure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - SAAS SOC 2 Pentesting
- Is penetration testing required for SOC 2 compliance?It's not explicitly required, but most auditors expect it to validate your security practices—especially for Type II reports.
- How is penetration testing different from vulnerability scanning?
Scans are automated and surface-level, while pen testing involves manual, in-depth testing that simulates real-world attacks.
- When should my SaaS company do a pen test for SOC 2?
Ideally before your audit period begins, after major changes, and at least annually as part of a mature security program.
- What does a SOC 2-ready pen test report need to include?
Scope of testing, manual methods used, detailed findings, risk ratings, and remediation status or plans.
- Can I use an internal team to do my SOC 2 pen test?
Yes, if they’re qualified and independent—but third-party testing (like from Bluefire Redteam) is preferred by most auditors.