Crowdsourced Pen Testing Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Vulnerability Scanning, Penetration Testing), By Application (Web Application, Mobile Application, Network Infrastructure, Cloud Infrastructure), , Regional Insights and Forecast From 2025 To 2033

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CROWDSOURCED PEN TESTING MARKET OVERVIEW

Global crowdsourced pen testing market size was estimated at USD 36.7 billion in 2024 and expected to rise to USD 183.48 billion by 2033, experiencing a CAGR of 19.5% during the forecast period.

The crowdsourced pen testing market is experiencing notable growth, driven by the increasing demand for robust cybersecurity solutions. With a surge in sophisticated cyber threats and an expanding attack surface due to digital transformation and remote work trends, organizations are adopting proactive measures. Crowdsourced pen testing addresses this need by providing an effective means to assess and fortify security postures. The market's growth is further fueled by its cost-effectiveness and scalability, offering a budget-friendly alternative to traditional methods and facilitating swift testing processes. The rising demand for comprehensive security assessments without compromising financial resources is a key factor propelling the crowdsourced pen testing market.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Demand Surged Due to Rapid Shift Toward Remote Work

The COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the market experiencing higher-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden market growth reflected by the rise in CAGR is attributable to the market’s growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the crowdsourced pen testing market in multiple ways. The surge in cyberattacks targeting remote workers and organizations transitioning to online operations heightened awareness of cybersecurity vulnerabilities, emphasizing the need for proactive measures. The shift to remote work rendered traditional pen testing methods impractical, prompting a notable adaptation to crowdsourced pen testing. This alternative, with its flexible and scalable nature, emerged as a viable solution for effectively assessing the security of remote infrastructure and applications. As organizations faced the challenges posed by the pandemic, crowdsourced pen testing played a crucial role in addressing the evolving cybersecurity landscape and ensuring the resilience of digital systems in the face of increased threats.

LATEST TRENDS

Integration with DevOps and CI/CD Pipelines to Facilitate Early Identification of Vulnerabilities

The latest trend in the crowdsourced pen testing market involves its integration with DevOps and CI/CD pipelines, marking a significant shift toward continuous security testing throughout the software development lifecycle. This integration facilitates the early identification and remediation of vulnerabilities, thereby mitigating the risk of security breaches. By seamlessly incorporating crowdsourced pen testing into DevOps practices, organizations can ensure that security measures are consistently applied at each stage of development. This proactive approach aligns with the dynamic nature of the cybersecurity landscape, emphasizing the importance of integrating security protocols into the rapid and iterative processes of software development.

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CROWDSOURCED PEN TESTING MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type 

Based on type, the global market can be categorized into vulnerability scanning and penetration testing.

• Vulnerability Scanning: Vulnerability scanning employs automated tools for systematic analysis, identifying potential weaknesses in digital infrastructure. Crowdsourced testing enhances this approach by utilizing ethical hackers to uncover nuanced threats often missed by automated tools, providing continuous and comprehensive assessments for heightened cybersecurity resilience.

• Penetration Testing: Penetration testing simulates real-world cyber threats, actively attempting to exploit identified weaknesses. Crowdsourced penetration testing, with its diverse pool of skilled ethical hackers, allows businesses to strengthen security protocols, simulate real-world threats, and proactively address vulnerabilities.

By Application 

Based on application, the global market can be categorized into web applications, mobile applications, network infrastructure, and cloud infrastructure.

• Web Applications: Focusing on online applications accessible through web browsers, this segment ensures the security of e-commerce platforms and web-based applications. Ethical hackers identify vulnerabilities that could compromise data integrity and user confidentiality, crucial for businesses with an online presence.

• Mobile Applications: Concentrating on mobile device applications, this segment evaluates security aspects like data storage, communication, and user authentication. Crowdsourced testing for mobile apps is essential in identifying and addressing security gaps, ensuring a secure user experience, and protecting sensitive information stored on mobile devices.

• Network Infrastructure: This segment assesses the security of an organization's overall network architecture, testing devices, configurations, and protocols. Ethical hackers identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors, which is crucial for businesses relying on interconnected systems to fortify defenses against cyber threats.

• Cloud Infrastructure: Evaluating the security of cloud-based services and platforms, this segment assesses data storage, access controls, and configurations within cloud environments. Crowdsourced testing helps organizations identify and address security risks associated with cloud-based services, ensuring the confidentiality and availability of stored data.

DRIVING FACTORS

Increased Cyber Threats to Boost Market Growth

In the dynamic landscape of cybersecurity, organizations face a surge in cyber threats characterized by heightened sophistication and frequency of attacks. To counteract this evolving risk landscape, organizations are compelled to adopt proactive measures to enhance their security protocols. The expanding attack surface, exacerbated by the trends of digital transformation and remote work, necessitates broader vulnerability assessments. The crowdsourced pen testing market emerges as a strategic ally, providing organizations with the means to effectively assess and fortify their security posture against growing cyber threats.

Cost-Effectiveness and Scalability to Act as a Prime Driver

As organizations seek robust cybersecurity solutions, the crowdsourced pen testing market gains prominence for its inherent cost-effectiveness and scalability. In contrast to traditional penetration testing methods, crowdsourced testing presents a budget-friendly alternative. Platforms within this market empower organizations with on-demand access to an extensive pool of testers. This not only facilitates swift testing processes but also ensures scalability across diverse systems. The cost-effectiveness and scalability offered by crowdsourced pen testing are instrumental in enabling organizations to conduct comprehensive security assessments without compromising financial resources.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Quality Concerns and Variability to Limit Market Expansion

Quality concerns and variability pose significant challenges to crowdsourced pen testing market growth. The reliance on self-reported information makes it difficult to ensure testers' skills, leading to inconsistent testing quality and the potential for missed vulnerabilities. Moreover, the lack of standardized methodologies among testers introduces variability in approaches, affecting the consistency of reports and hindering the overall reliability of crowdsourced pen testing.

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CROWDSOURCED PEN TESTING MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

North America to Lead Due to Region’s Mature and Technologically Advanced Cybersecurity Landscape

The market is primarily segregated into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

North America holds the dominant crowdsourced pen testing market share. This leadership can be attributed to various factors that collectively contribute to the region's prominence on the global stage. North America boasts a mature and technologically advanced cybersecurity landscape, making organizations keenly aware of the need for proactive measures against evolving cyber threats. The region's significant investment in digital transformation and reliance on remote work further accentuate the demand for crowdsourced pen testing services. Additionally, the presence of major industry players and a strong emphasis on innovation contribute to the region's leadership, making North America a pivotal hub for the crowdsourced pen testing market.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Players Focus on Partnerships to Gain a Competitive Advantage

Prominent market players are making collaborative efforts by partnering with other companies to stay ahead of the competition. Many companies are also investing in new product launches to expand their product portfolio. Mergers and acquisitions are also among the key strategies used by players to expand their product portfolios.

List of Top Crowdsourced Pen Testing Companies

• Bugcrowd Inc. (U.S.)
• HackerOne Inc. (U.S.)
• Synack Inc. (U.S.)
• Cobalt Labs Inc. (U.S.)
• Netragard LLC (U.S.)
• Hacknowledge (France)
• Hack the Box Ltd. (U.K.)
• F-Secure Corporation (Finland)
• SEC-Consult Group (Austria)
• HackerOne Singapore Pte. Ltd. (Singapore)
• Bugcrowd Pty Ltd. (Australia)
• NCC Group Asia Pacific Ltd. (Hong Kong)
• Uleska Ltd. (U.K.)
• Infosec Ventures Pty Ltd. (Australia)
• Saaf Cyber (U.S.)
• Underground Security S.A.S. (Colombia)
• Cybsec S.A. (Luxembourg)
• AdvancedSec S.A. (Switzerland)

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

May 2023: A significant industrial development unfolded in the crowdsourced pen testing market as Testlio, a prominent crowdsourced software quality testing firm, joined forces with Bugcrowd Inc., a leading crowdsourced cybersecurity company. This collaborative initiative was geared towards delivering enhanced security and quality testing services to businesses by harnessing the unique efficiency features of crowd testing. The partnership's strategic goal was to provide organizations with a comprehensive and cost-effective solution for testing software applications across diverse platforms, devices, and environments. This alliance marked a pivotal step in advancing the capabilities of crowdsourced pen testing by integrating specialized expertise from both Testlio and Bugcrowd Inc., addressing the evolving needs of businesses in the dynamic cybersecurity landscape.

REPORT COVERAGE

The study encompasses a comprehensive SWOT analysis and provides insights into future developments within the market. It examines various factors that contribute to the growth of the market, exploring a wide range of market categories and potential applications that may impact its trajectory in the coming years. The analysis takes into account both current trends and historical turning points, providing a holistic understanding of the market's components and identifying potential areas for growth.

The research report delves into market segmentation, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative research methods to provide a thorough analysis. It also evaluates the impact of financial and strategic perspectives on the market. Furthermore, the report presents national and regional assessments, considering the dominant forces of supply and demand that influence market growth. The competitive landscape is meticulously detailed, including market shares of significant competitors. The report incorporates novel research methodologies and player strategies tailored for the anticipated timeframe. Overall, it offers valuable and comprehensive insights into the market dynamics in a formal and easily understandable manner.