Emergency Penetration Testing for SOC 2, PCI, and Vendor Due Diligence

When you’re facing a tight compliance deadline or last-minute vendor due diligence request, there’s often a frantic scramble to find a penetration testing provider who can deliver quality work quickly. We’ve seen it, and we know how stressful this can be. The good news? Getting a fast, standards-based penetration test doesn’t have to mean cutting corners or paying exorbitant fees.

Here’s everything you need to know about quick-turnaround penetration testing for compliance or vendor requirements.

What Exactly Is an Emergency Penetration Test?

An emergency penetration test is a focused security assessment conducted rapidly to meet pressing deadlines—often triggered by vendor requests, auditor expectations, or compliance mandates. It might cover your entire infrastructure or just a targeted web application, depending on your immediate need.

Common triggers include:

Approaching SOC 2 audit deadlines
PCI DSS compliance reviews
Last-minute vendor onboarding requirements
Due diligence for mergers and acquisitions
Investor-driven security reviews
Urgent customer security demands

Whatever the cause, an emergency penetration test is designed to meet these urgent timelines without compromising quality.

What Do SOC 2, PCI DSS, and Vendor Due Diligence Requests Actually Require?

SOC 2

Most auditors ask specifically about SOC 2’s CC7.1 control, which calls for regular testing of security controls to confirm their effectiveness. A well-documented, manual penetration test provides strong evidence that you meet this criterion. (Learn more about SOC 2 pentesting here.)

PCI DSS

PCI DSS version 4.0 requires penetration testing under sections 11.3.1 through 11.3.3, covering external, internal, and segmentation testing by qualified personnel. Your report needs to clearly demonstrate compliance with these detailed requirements. (More about PCI penetration testing.)

Vendor Due Diligence

Vendor security questionnaires often keep it vague, asking simply for the date of your last pentest or a recent pentest report. But to truly satisfy vendor requests, you’ll typically need:

Evidence of remediation and retesting of issues
Proof that testing was performed by qualified experts
Clear risk ratings and prioritized findings

How Quickly Can We Get This Done?

In most cases, the testers at Asteros complete a thorough, standards-based penetration test with a detailed, audit-ready report within about two weeks:

Week 1: Active testing (web apps, APIs, infrastructure, networks)
Week 2: Detailed reporting, peer review, quality assurance, and report delivery

If your scope is smaller—such as a single web application or a limited network segment—we can often deliver results even sooner.

The key takeaway: fast doesn’t mean rushed. Every test we perform still meets rigorous industry standards and is backed by manual, context-aware testing methods.

Do We Charge Extra for Urgent Requests?

Absolutely not.

We understand that compliance audits and vendor requests don’t always give you months of advance notice. You won’t see sudden price hikes or last-minute fees from us. Whether you have six months or two weeks, our pricing remains fair and consistent. We’re here to help, not take advantage of your urgency.

What’s Included in the Report (And Will It Actually Satisfy Auditors)?

Yes, it absolutely will. Every Asteros penetration test report is designed specifically for auditors, clients, and internal stakeholders, with clear, structured, and actionable insights.

Our reports include:

Executive Summary: Non-technical overview for management, auditors, or third parties.
Detailed Findings: Clearly explained, actionable vulnerabilities with step-by-step remediation guidance.
Contextual Risk Ratings: Using the OWASP Risk Rating Methodology, tailored specifically to your environment.
Compliance Mapping: Clear alignment to frameworks like SOC 2, PCI DSS, or ISO 27001. (What makes a good pentest report?)
Manual Testing Evidence: Confirmation that vulnerabilities have been manually validated—no scanner dumps here.
Retesting Included: Free retesting of remediated issues, with an updated report for auditors showing your progress.

Web Application Testing? We Follow OWASP ASVS

If your emergency test involves web applications or APIs, Asteros uses the industry-leading OWASP Application Security Verification Standard (ASVS).

Unlike simple vulnerability scans, ASVS goes far beyond the OWASP Top 10—checking dozens of critical security controls like input validation, session management, authentication, access control, and cryptography. It clearly highlights not just where you’re vulnerable, but also what you’re doing well.

What Should You Have Ready to Start the Test?

To streamline scheduling and help us move quickly, it helps to prepare:

Point of Contact & Timeline: Who’s coordinating the test and when you need the final report.
Testing Scope: Clearly defined targets (domains, IP ranges, application URLs).
Test Credentials: User accounts for test environments. Typically one account per privilege level.
Preferred Report Format: Let us know if your auditor or client needs a specific format or mapping.
Compliance Goal: Whether it’s SOC 2, PCI DSS, vendor due diligence, or something else, clarity helps us tailor your engagement appropriately.

Why Choose Asteros for Emergency Penetration Testing?

Fast scheduling and clear timelines — no ambiguous promises.
Experienced testers only — you won’t get passed off to outsourced contractors or stuck with junior staff.
Actionable, compliance-ready reports that auditors and stakeholders understand.
Free retesting and report updates after you remediate issues—clearly documented progress included.
Responsive, proactive communication throughout the engagement—no disappearing acts.
Deep experience with compliance frameworks including SOC 2, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, and investor/vendor reviews.

Need a Fast-Turnaround Penetration Test?

If you’re facing a tight compliance deadline or an urgent vendor security review, we’ve got you covered. Asteros can deliver a high-quality, standards-based penetration test quickly and without shortcuts—helping you satisfy auditors and stakeholders alike.

Reach out today and we’ll respond fast—usually within one business day.