How to Conduct a Pentest as an SMB with a Limited Budget

The myth of pentesting reserved for large companies

"We're too small to interest hackers." "A pentest costs at least €20,000." "We'll look at it when we're bigger."

We hear these phrases regularly. And they're all wrong.

The reality of cyberattacks in 2025

SMBs are prime targets

French statistics:

43% of cyberattacks target SMBs
60% of victim SMBs file for bankruptcy within 6 months
Average cost of an attack: €25,000 for an SMB
Only 14% of SMBs have a cybersecurity strategy

Why SMBs?

Less protection - No dedicated security team
Entry point - Access to large account systems
Ease - Known unpatched vulnerabilities
Ransomware - Payment more likely due to lack of alternatives

Different pentest levels

Level 1: Vulnerability Scan (€500-1,500)

Ideal for: First steps, basic compliance

Level 2: Targeted Pentest (€2,000-5,000)

Ideal for: E-commerce site, critical business application

Level 3: Complete Pentest (€5,000-15,000)

Ideal for: SMB with multiple applications, compliance needs

Level 4: Red Team (€15,000+)

Ideal for: Mid-size companies, advanced compliance, regulated sectors

How to optimize your budget

Define your critical perimeter
Prepare in advance - Fix low-hanging fruit
Choose the right time
Pool resources

What a good pentest report should contain

For decision-makers

Executive summary (1-2 pages)
Global risk score
Top 5 critical vulnerabilities
Estimated remediation budget

For technical teams

Methodology used
Detail of each vulnerability
Exploitation proofs
Potential impact
Correction recommendations

Conclusion

A pentest is not a luxury reserved for large companies. It's an investment that can save you from an incident costing 10 to 100 times more.

The question is not "Can we afford a pentest?" but "Can we afford not to do one?"

Ready to secure your SMB? Contact us for a quote adapted to your context.