Should we ask for a sample report when getting pentest quotes, and what should be in it?

Hiding behind an NDA is the most common excuse used by low-effort shops in this industry. Every serious firm keeps a generic or sanitized template report ready in their archives under their own corporate identity.

Don't be fooled by that 50-page report right away either. Go through the pages; if it's filled with page after page of descriptions for low-severity libraries and generic internet definitions, that could also just be automated scanner output.

Last year we paid 40,000 TL for our first pentest report, and 50 out of the 60 pages were just generic boilerplate notes pulled from the internet. We objected, but because the scope wasn't clearly defined in the contract, we were forced to pay.

once we see the findings in the sample report how long does it usually take for our dev team to patch them and do we have to pay extra for the re-test?

You must look for these in the report: 1) A list of out-of-scope assets, 2) The CVSS scoring methodology, 3) The validation test schedule and terms, meaning the re-test.

When your enterprise clients run audits, they won't just look at whether the report exists; they will also verify the valid accreditations and certifications of both the firm and the individual testers. Make sure to add this requirement to your RFP.

The firm refusing to show a report will probably just fire up an automated tool and hit export the next day. anyway dont take the risk imo wouldnt leave it to chance.

We've heard this a lot, but it never happened like that for us. The real issue isn't the number, but what it's based on.

If you don't write this down from the start, it leads to arguments later. Hope this helps.

I'm writing this so you don't make the same mistake. Taking notes for two weeks yields better results than a six-month estimate.

Hope this helps.

Great work. anyway just because everyone does it doesn't mean it's right.

This is my opinion, I'm not claiming it's absolute truth.

I agree. Most incidents start with a leaked password not a vulnerability.

If I were you, I'd go this route.

You're right.

i agree and Id like to emphasize that. hasty decisions become decisions you have to fix six months later.

if you get three different answers on a topic, the question was asked wrong... hope this helps.

Let me summarize what's been said so far. Don't rely on a single measure; go layer by layer.

If you post the result here, it will help others too.

Yes, that's exactly how it is with penetration test report sample. An untested backup is not a backup.

This is my opinion I'm not claiming it's absolute truth.

Here's how it went for us. Taking measures without an inventory leaves doors you haven't seen open.

This is my opinion, I'm not claiming it's absolute truth.

You're right, I've been down that road too. When making a decision, first look at what data you have on hand.

Hope this helps.