Cloud Penetration Testing

Perform authorized security testing attempting to breach cloud infrastructure and applications to identify vulnerabilities before malicious actors

Startup Cost
$10,000-$30,000
Difficulty
Advanced
Time to Profit
8-15 months
Profit Potential
$15,000-$80,000/month

Overview

Cloud penetration testing simulates real attacks against cloud infrastructure, applications, and APIs to identify security weaknesses.

You perform authorized testing within rules of engagement, attempt various attack vectors, document successful exploits, and provide remediation recommendations.

Pentesting projects range from $15,000-$100,000+ depending on scope and depth.

Services include infrastructure penetration testing, application security testing, API security assessment, social engineering tests, and comprehensive security reports with proof-of-concept exploits.

Target clients include companies preparing for security certifications, businesses in security-conscious industries like finance or healthcare, SaaS companies with customer data, and organizations that have experienced breaches.

Success requires offensive security skills, knowledge of attack techniques, understanding of cloud platforms, ability to think like attackers, and ethical approach to vulnerability disclosure.

Most pentesters hold certifications like OSCP, CEH, or GPEN.

The work is technical and challenging, providing clear value when vulnerabilities are discovered and remediated.

Required Skills

  • Penetration Testing
  • Offensive Security
  • Cloud Infrastructure
  • Exploit Development
  • Security Reporting

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Premium rates for specialized offensive security
  • Exciting technical work
  • Clear value when vulnerabilities found
  • Work with security-focused organizations
  • Can specialize in cloud-specific testing

Cons

  • Requires extensive offensive security training
  • Legal and liability concerns
  • Need clear rules of engagement
  • Finding nothing can feel like failure to clients
  • Constant learning as attack techniques evolve

How to Get Started

  1. Gain penetration testing experience and training
  2. Earn offensive security certifications
  3. Practice in authorized testing environments
  4. Understand cloud platform security thoroughly
  5. Develop professional pentest methodologies
  6. Create clear contracts and rules of engagement
  7. Build portfolio demonstrating expertise

Explore More Cloud Security Services Ideas

Discover additional business opportunities in this category.

View All Cloud Security Services Ideas →