The strongest penetration testing companies in Saudi Arabia in 2026 are CyberFortify (GCC specialist, regulator-mapped), sirar by stc, Cyberani by Aramco Digital, Haboob, NourNet, Infratech, Security Matterz, Innovative Solutions, DTS Solution / Beyon Cyber, Cryptika, and the Big 4. Several hold NCA-licensed MSOC status (Cyberani, Haboob at Tier 1; NourNet at Tier 2), and Cyberani and Haboob have announced CREST accreditation for penetration testing. Choose on six scored criteria — tester credentials, manual depth, methodology, NCA/SAMA mapping, reporting, and an included retest — not brand size. The comparison table, regulator map and full profiles are below.
// 01 Why the choice matters — and why regulation drives it
Saudi Arabia is both a top target and one of the world's most regulated cyber environments. According to IBM's Cost of a Data Breach Report 2025 — which reports the Middle East figure in Saudi Riyals — the average breach in the region cost SAR 27 million (about US$7.3 million), the second-highest in the world after the United States. Against that, Vision 2030 has built a dense regulatory stack: the NCA Essential Cybersecurity Controls and Critical Systems controls, the SAMA Cyber Security Framework for financial entities, NCA OTCC for operational technology, and the Saudi PDPL. That combination means the "best" Saudi provider isn't just technically strong — it maps its report to the exact NCA or SAMA control your assessor checks. This guide ranks for both.
// 02 Comparison at a glance
The eleven providers below, with headquarters, type, a notable credential and the buyer each fits best. Full profiles follow; credentials are as stated by each firm or reputable reporting — verify current status directly.
| # | Company | HQ / base | Type | Notable credential | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CyberFortify | Bahrain (serves KSA) | Specialist boutique | PTES / OWASP / NIST-led | NCA/SAMA-mapped, senior human-led testing |
| 2 | sirar by stc | Riyadh | Telco-backed (stc) | Managed SOC + red team | KSA enterprises wanting pentest + MSS |
| 3 | Cyberani | Riyadh & Dhahran | Aramco Digital | NCA Tier-1 + CREST (stated) | Critical infrastructure & OT |
| 4 | Haboob | Saudi Arabia | Offensive specialist | NCA Tier-1 + CREST (stated) | Advanced red teaming & pentest |
| 5 | NourNet | Saudi Arabia | National MSSP | NCA Tier-2 MSOC | Pentest within managed security |
| 6 | Infratech | Riyadh | Full-scope provider | NCA-licensed mSOC | NCA/SAMA-aligned testing + SOC |
| 7 | Security Matterz | Riyadh | Independent (est. 2007) | NCA/SAMA advisory | Independent KSA testing & consulting |
| 8 | Innovative Solutions | Riyadh | Security services firm | Pentest + code review | Riyadh enterprises wanting VAPT + SOC |
| 9 | DTS Solution | Riyadh office (Beyon) | Regional specialist | CREST (stated) | Accredited testing across the GCC |
| 10 | Cryptika | Riyadh office | Regional boutique | VAPT + red team | Web/network testing for SMEs/enterprise |
| 11 | Deloitte / PwC / EY / KPMG | KSA-wide | Big 4 | — | Brand assurance & broad programmes |
// 03 1. CyberFortify — NCA/SAMA-mapped specialist testing
Base: Bahrain, serving clients across Saudi Arabia · Type: Specialist penetration testing firm · Best for: Senior, human-led testing mapped to Saudi frameworks.
CyberFortify is a GCC offensive-security specialist whose model is senior testers doing the work directly, on the PTES, OWASP and NIST methodologies with MITRE ATT&CK mapping. For Saudi engagements, reports are mapped to the frameworks that apply — the NCA ECC, CSCC, SAMA CSF, NCA OTCC and PDPL — so the deliverable is accepted by your assessor first time. The catalogue spans web, API, mobile, network, cloud and OT/ICS testing, red teaming, AI/LLM testing and compliance consulting, with a retest included. CyberFortify publishes this guide and is listed first — so hold us to the same six criteria as every firm here. See our detailed VAPT-in-Saudi-Arabia guide.
// 04 2. sirar by stc — telco-backed national provider
HQ: Riyadh · Type: Established by stc · Best for: KSA enterprises wanting pentest plus managed security.
sirar by stc is the cybersecurity company established by stc, the Kingdom's ICT and digital-services group. Its site lists a full offensive-security portfolio — web, API, mobile and infrastructure penetration testing, red teaming, vulnerability assessment, configuration and source-code review, and cloud posture assessment (methodologies cited include PTES, OWASP and CREST) — alongside managed detection and response, managed SOC, DDoS protection and GRC. Its stc backing and national footprint make it a strong candidate for large KSA enterprises wanting testing delivered alongside ongoing managed security.
// 05 3. Cyberani (by Aramco Digital) — critical infrastructure & OT
HQ: Saudi Arabia (MSOCs in Riyadh & Dhahran) · Type: Aramco Digital company · Best for: Critical infrastructure and OT/ICS testing.
Cyberani, an Aramco Digital company, runs dual IT/OT managed SOCs in Riyadh and Dhahran and offers vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, red teaming and OT/ICS security. Per the NCA and company reporting, its SOCs are NCA Tier-1 licensed, and the company announced CREST accreditation for its penetration-testing service in 2024. Its industrial heritage makes it especially relevant for Saudi critical-infrastructure and energy/OT environments, where safety-aware testing matters.
// 06 4. Haboob — advanced offensive security
HQ: Saudi Arabia · Type: Offensive-security specialist · Best for: Advanced red teaming and penetration testing.
Haboob is a Saudi offensive-security specialist with roots in the Kingdom's security-research community, offering VAPT, red teaming, managed detection and response, incident response, compromise assessment and GRC. Per regional reporting, it holds an NCA Tier-1 MSOC licence and CREST accreditation for penetration testing, with ISO certifications. Its research-led, offensive heritage makes it a strong pick where deep, advanced testing and red teaming are the priority.
// 07 5. NourNet — national MSSP with testing
HQ: Saudi Arabia · Type: National communications & security provider · Best for: Penetration testing within managed security.
NourNet is a Saudi national communications-and-security provider offering penetration testing and red teaming across web, mobile, network, API and wireless, plus social engineering, delivered from an NCA Tier-2 licensed MSOC. It reports ISO 27001 and Saudi CERT approval for security testing. A relevant option for organisations wanting testing bundled with managed security from an established national MSSP.
// 08 6. Infratech — full-scope, NCA/SAMA-aligned
HQ: Riyadh · Type: Full-scope cybersecurity provider · Best for: NCA/SAMA-aligned testing plus SOC.
Infratech is a Riyadh cybersecurity provider offering offensive security — penetration testing, red teaming and vulnerability assessment aligned to OWASP, OSSTMM and PTES and mapped to NCA and SAMA — delivered alongside an NCA-licensed managed SOC. Its explicit NCA/SAMA alignment makes it a practical fit for regulated Saudi organisations wanting testing and monitoring from one Kingdom-based provider.
// 09 7. Security Matterz — independent Riyadh firm
HQ: Riyadh · Type: Independent cybersecurity firm (est. 2007) · Best for: Independent testing and NCA/SAMA consulting.
Security Matterz is a Riyadh-based independent cybersecurity firm operating since 2007, offering penetration testing, managed security and consulting, plus a locally operated SOC and a cybersecurity academy, with a focus on NCA and SAMA compliance for regulated KSA sectors. As a long-standing independent pure-play, it's a relevant option for Saudi organisations that prefer a locally focused provider; confirm specific accreditations directly.
// 10 8. Innovative Solutions (IS) — Riyadh security services
HQ: Riyadh · Type: Information-security services firm · Best for: VAPT plus SOC for Riyadh enterprises.
Innovative Solutions is a Riyadh-headquartered information-security services company offering penetration testing, source-code reviews, vulnerability and risk assessment, ISO 27001 implementation and SOC build-out, serving the Kingdom and the wider Gulf. A practical fit for Saudi enterprises wanting testing delivered alongside broader security engineering and SOC services from a local firm.
// 11 9. DTS Solution (Beyon Cyber) — CREST-accredited, GCC-wide
HQ: Dubai, with a Riyadh office (part of Bahrain's Beyon Group) · Type: Regional specialist · Best for: Accredited testing across the GCC.
DTS Solution, part of Bahrain's Beyon Cyber group, serves Saudi Arabia from a Riyadh office and offers VAPT, red teaming, social engineering and SCADA/ICS assessments plus managed SOC. Per the company and trade press it holds CREST accreditation for penetration testing and incident response. A strong option for Saudi entities wanting a regionally established, accredited provider — note delivery is regional rather than Kingdom-headquartered.
// 12 10. Cryptika — regional boutique with Riyadh office
HQ: Dubai, with a Riyadh office (also Amman) · Type: Regional boutique · Best for: Web and network testing for SMEs and enterprise.
Cryptika is a regional cybersecurity boutique with a Riyadh office (and Dubai HQ), offering VAPT across network, web and mobile applications, red teaming, phishing/vishing simulation and DDoS stress testing. A relevant option for Saudi SMEs and enterprises wanting focused technical testing; verify local delivery and any accreditations directly, as its Saudi presence is a regional office rather than a Kingdom headquarters.
// 13 11. Deloitte, PwC, EY & KPMG — the Big 4
Presence: KSA-wide · Type: Big 4 consultancies · Best for: Brand assurance and broad programmes.
All four Big 4 firms run Saudi cyber practices offering penetration testing and red teaming within broader risk, resilience and advisory services; KPMG publicly partnered with Cyberani in late 2025 on industrial cybersecurity in the Kingdom. The trade-off is brand and breadth versus the seniority and manual depth of a dedicated specialist, at premium pricing. Confirm each firm's specific offensive-security offering and any NCA registration on its Saudi page.
// 14 Saudi regulator map: who mandates testing
The single biggest gap in competing Saudi lists is regulatory context — some name twenty firms with zero mention of the NCA or SAMA. Here is which Saudi framework drives testing, and for whom.
| Framework | Applies to | Testing expectation |
|---|---|---|
| NCA ECC | Government & regulated entities | Periodic penetration testing (Cybersecurity Defence domain) |
| NCA CSCC | Critical systems | Every 6 months |
| SAMA CSF | Central-bank-regulated (banks, fintech, insurers) | Pentest; FEER red teaming at major institutions |
| NCA OTCC | Operational technology / ICS | OT-aware security testing |
| PCI DSS v4.0 | Card handlers | Pentest annually + on change (11.4) |
| Saudi PDPL | Processors of personal data | Security testing of personal-data systems |
The Saudi PDPL came into force on 14 September 2023, with full SDAIA enforcement from 14 September 2024. Many Saudi organisations sit under several frameworks at once — a bank is SAMA, PCI and PDPL simultaneously — and a well-scoped engagement can satisfy them together; see requirements by framework and map your obligations with the requirements finder.
// 15 How we scored them — six weighted criteria
Brand size is a weak predictor of test quality, so we assess every provider on six weighted criteria — the transparent method competing lists don't publish. Use it as your own scorecard alongside our 20 questions.
| Criterion | Weight | What earns a high score |
|---|---|---|
| Tester credentials | 20% | OSCP/OSWE/OSEP/CREST on the named individuals |
| Manual depth | 20% | High proportion of manual testing |
| NCA / SAMA mapping | 20% | Reports mapped to ECC / CSCC / SAMA / OTCC |
| Methodology | 15% | Named standard (PTES, OWASP, NIST) + ATT&CK |
| Reporting & retest | 15% | Validated findings + included retest |
| Independence & fit | 10% | No conflict; right scale for your engagement |
Sources & method: company details are summarised from each firm's own website, the NCA's published MSOC-licensee information and reputable regional reporting; accreditations and NCA tiers are labelled as stated by the provider or that reporting — verify current status with the issuing body (NCA, CREST) before relying on it. This guide is published by CyberFortify, which is listed first; entries 2–11 are ordered by category, not merit.
// 16 Frequently asked questions
Who are the best penetration testing companies in Saudi Arabia?
Leading providers include CyberFortify (NCA/SAMA-mapped specialist), sirar by stc, Cyberani by Aramco Digital, Haboob, NourNet, Infratech, Security Matterz, Innovative Solutions, DTS Solution/Beyon Cyber, Cryptika, and the Big 4. Several hold NCA-licensed MSOC status; Cyberani and Haboob have announced CREST accreditation for pentesting. Choose by your regulator (NCA ECC, SAMA, OTCC), sector, and whether you want a specialist or a large provider.
Which Saudi regulations require penetration testing?
NCA ECC requires periodic testing for in-scope entities; NCA CSCC requires testing at least every six months for critical systems; SAMA CSF requires pentesting for financial entities (with FEER red teaming at major institutions); NCA OTCC covers OT; PCI DSS 11.4 covers card handlers; and the Saudi PDPL drives testing of personal-data systems.
What is NCA licensing and why does it matter?
The NCA licenses managed SOC providers in Saudi Arabia under a tiered scheme (Tier 1/Tier 2), and cybersecurity providers serving Saudi entities are expected to be appropriately registered. An NCA MSOC licence signals a provider has met the authority's requirements. It's not a pentest accreditation, but for regulated Saudi buyers it's a meaningful trust signal alongside CREST and hands-on tester certs.
How much does a pentest cost in Saudi Arabia?
It's scope-driven, priced on tester-days. A focused web-app or small external test is at the lower end; a large multi-app, network and cloud programme or SAMA red teaming runs higher. Drivers: app size, roles, business-logic complexity, APIs, depth, and whether a retest is included. Get a scoped quote, confirm NCA/SAMA report mapping, and check the manual proportion.
Saudi specialist or large provider?
A specialist gives senior hands-on testers, more manual testing, better value and clearer NCA/SAMA mapping. A telco-backed or Big 4 provider offers brand assurance, national scale and bundled managed security, though hands-on work may be junior. For critical infrastructure and OT, providers with NCA licensing and OT experience are especially relevant.
// 17 Sources
- IBM — Cost of a Data Breach Report 2025 (Middle East).
- NCA — Essential Cybersecurity Controls and published MSOC-licensee information.
- SAMA — Financial Entities Ethical Red-Teaming (FEER).
- Company websites: sirar.com.sa, cyberani.sa, haboob.sa, nour.net.sa, infratech.com.sa, securitymatterz.com, is.com.sa, dts-solution.com, cryptika.com. Provider details may change — verify accreditations and NCA tiers directly.