The verdict in three sentences
An OWASP black-box pentest of a custom web app starts around 8,000 USD in New York in 2026, while a full source-code audit runs 12,000-20,000 USD depending on codebase size. Fixing critical and high findings then takes 3 to 5 weeks of engineering. For a client certification or an RFP, budget both the audit AND the remediation: the report alone does not make you compliant.
Which audit for which need
Not all audits are equal. A pentest simulates an external attack; a code audit reads your source; an architecture audit reviews your infrastructure choices. The 2026 New York price depends on scope and depth.
| Audit type | Scope | Duration | 2026 Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black-box pentest | Exposed app, no code access | 5-8 days | 8,000-13,000 |
| Grey-box pentest | With test accounts | 8-12 days | 12,000-20,000 |
| Source-code audit | Static + manual review | 10-15 days | 12,000-20,000 |
| Architecture + cloud audit | Infra, network, IAM | 6-10 days | 10,000-18,000 |
| Retest after fixes | Verify the fixes | 2-3 days | 2,500-4,500 |
The reference standard remains the OWASP Top 10 plus ASVS for depth. Require a report with proof-of-concept (PoC) exploitation and a prioritized remediation plan.
CVSS severities and fix timelines
The report rates each finding with a CVSS 3.1 score. That rating drives your fix schedule and your security maintenance budget.
| Severity | CVSS score | Example | Target fix window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical | 9.0-10.0 | RCE, authenticated SQL injection | 24-72 h |
| High | 7.0-8.9 | Stored XSS, sensitive IDOR | 1-2 weeks |
| Medium | 4.0-6.9 | CSRF, weak config | 2-4 weeks |
| Low | 0.1-3.9 | Missing header, verbosity | Next cycle |
| Info | 0 | Best practices | Optional |
Budget a security retainer from 1,200 USD/month for patch tracking, CVE monitoring and a quarterly retest.
Mini case study
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David, CISO of a fintech startup in New York, must secure his partner portal before a SOC 2-adjacent client certification. He orders a grey-box pentest at 16,000 USD and a retest at 2,500 USD. The audit finds 2 critical and 5 high issues. Remediation takes 4 weeks (estimate: 18 person-days x 1,100 USD = 19,800 USD). Total compliance cost: 38,300 USD, offset by a 420,000 USD/year client contract that required the certification. Immediate ROI: the contract would not have closed without the report.
FAQ
Is a pentest enough to be compliant?
No. A pentest is one technical control among many. Compliance (SOC 2, GDPR) also requires policies, logging and encryption. Treat the pentest as one brick (8,000 USD and up), not the whole program.
How long from audit to final report?
Usually 5 to 15 days of testing, then 3 to 5 days of writing. A quality report includes an executive summary, technical detail, PoCs and a prioritized plan, so plan on 2 to 4 weeks total.
Should the audit be repeated every year?
Yes for sensitive apps, or after any major release. An annual retest (2,500-4,500 USD) plus a monthly security retainer keeps the level between full audits.
Who fixes the findings, you or the auditor?
Ideally auditor and fixer are separate for objectivity. We can do both: audit, fix (18 person-days on average) and retest, in 3 to 5 weeks depending on criticality.
Let's scope your project. Tell us the perimeter (number of apps, APIs, certification constraint), your indicative budget and your target date. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
