The verdict in three sentences
An OWASP Top 10 audit documents your vulnerabilities for 3,000 to 8,000 EUR; a pentest with real exploitation rises to 5,000 to 15,000 EUR. Remediation then represents 30 to 60% of the audit cost depending on the criticality of the flaws found. The math is simple: the global average cost of a data breach exceeds 4 million EUR, not counting GDPR fines.
Services and security budgets
Each analysis level meets a different need, from quick review to full regulatory audit.
| Service | Cost (EUR) | Timeline | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|---|
| OWASP Top 10 audit | 3,000 - 8,000 | 1-2 wks | Report + criticalities |
| Black-box pentest | 5,000 - 10,000 | 2-3 wks | Exploited flaws |
| Grey/white-box pentest | 8,000 - 15,000 | 3-4 wks | Code + infra analysis |
| Remediation | 30-60% of audit | 2-4 wks | Delivered fixes |
| App GDPR audit | 4,000 - 9,000 | 2-3 wks | Register + plan |
Common flaws, criticality and fix cost
The most frequent vulnerabilities in 2026 remain the OWASP Top 10. Here is their criticality and ballpark fix cost.
| Flaw | Criticality | Fix cost | Residual risk if ignored |
|---|---|---|---|
| SQL injection | Critical | 800 - 3,000 EUR | Full database theft |
| XSS (cross-site scripting) | High | 500 - 2,000 EUR | Session theft |
| Broken authentication | Critical | 1,500 - 5,000 EUR | Account takeover |
| Misconfiguration (headers/CSP) | Medium | 300 - 1,200 EUR | Wider attack surface |
| Vulnerable components | High | 500 - 2,500 EUR | Known exploitation |
| Broken access control | Critical | 1,000 - 4,000 EUR | Third-party data access |
Mini case study
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The CISO of a private clinic in Toronto runs an appointment-booking app handling health data. She orders an OWASP audit at 6,500 EUR and a grey-box pentest at 11,000 EUR. The audit reveals an SQL injection and broken access control; remediation costs 5,200 EUR. Total: 22,700 EUR. Against the average cost of a health-data breach (hundreds of thousands of EUR in fines and lost trust), the investment represents less than 5% of the risk avoided.
FAQ
What's the difference between an audit and a pentest? The OWASP audit identifies and documents flaws (3,000-8,000 EUR); the pentest actually exploits them to prove impact (5,000-15,000 EUR). Both are complementary.
How often should I audit? At least once a year and after every major release, a yearly budget of 4,000 to 12,000 EUR for a sensitive app.
Is remediation included? No, it is billed separately: budget 30 to 60% of the audit cost depending on the number and criticality of the flaws fixed.
Does GDPR require an audit? GDPR requires appropriate technical measures; a documented audit is the strongest proof in a compliance check, and avoids fines of up to 4% of revenue.
How much does a data breach cost? The 2026 global average exceeds 4 million EUR (detection, notification, fines, customer loss), far more than any preventive audit.
Let's scope your project. Describe your application, data sensitivity, and regulatory obligations for an audit quoted between 3,000 and 15,000 EUR, remediation included. 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.
