July 23, 2025
What are the Trends of Application Security in 2025?
What are the Trends of Application Security in 2025?
Fiza Nadeem
New Update: Our new blog is updated.
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For mid-sized companies, cybersecurity can feel like a balancing act. They’re large enough to attract the attention of cybercriminals but often don’t have the resources or staffing that larger enterprises use to defend their systems.
At the same time, they face growing pressure to comply with industry regulations, meet vendor requirements, and protect customer data. This makes them particularly vulnerable to threats like ransomware, phishing, and data breaches.
PTaaS addresses these challenges by offering scalable and affordable testing that fits within the budget and operational needs of the middle market. It helps organizations find weaknesses before attackers do, respond quickly to findings, and maintain trust with clients and partners.
Today, mid-sized businesses are increasingly targeted by attackers. And often with more success. These companies typically manage valuable data, but don’t always have the same level of cybersecurity defenses as larger enterprises.
One of the main challenges is limited resources. Many mid-market companies operate with lean IT teams and no dedicated security professionals. This makes it difficult to monitor vulnerabilities or respond quickly when something goes wrong.
In many cases, these businesses rely on outdated tools, manual processes, or one-off security assessments that only offer a snapshot in time.
Read more on: Choosing the Right Penetration Testing Approach: Automated or Manual?
At the same time, external pressures are growing. Customers and vendors increasingly expect proof of strong security practices, especially when handling sensitive data. Regulatory standards like SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, and PCI DSS all require regular risk assessments and technical safeguards.
Attackers use a wide range of tactics to breach mid-sized organizations. And the damage goes beyond just financial loss. A single incident can result in reputational harm, operational downtime, legal issues, and loss of customer trust.
This shifting threat landscape makes it clear why middle market businesses need more than basic security tools. They need a reliable and repeatable way to find and fix weaknesses before attackers.
That’s exactly what Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) offers. It identifies vulnerabilities and enables quick remediation to meet rising security expectations without overwhelming internal teams.
Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) is a modern approach to identify and fix security weaknesses in your systems, applications, and networks. It gives businesses access to skilled ethical hackers who simulate real-world attacks to uncover vulnerabilities.
Traditional penetration testing is often a one-time engagement. A security team runs a test, delivers a PDF report, and the process ends until the next cycle.
During that time, new vulnerabilities can appear, new systems can go live, and changes in your infrastructure might create new risks that go untested.
More detail on: PTaaS vs Traditional Penetration Testing
PTaaS changes that by offering penetration testing through a cloud-based platform. This means tests can be scheduled or requested as needed, results are delivered in real time, and findings are often presented through an interactive dashboard.
Instead of waiting for a report, internal teams can view vulnerabilities as they are discovered, assign tasks, track remediation progress, and even communicate directly with the testers if needed.
Another key difference is how well PTaaS fits into modern development workflows. Many platforms integrate directly with DevOps pipelines, so security testing becomes part of the software release process, not something that slows it down.
For mid-market organizations, the benefit of PTaaS lies in its ability to deliver consistent, actionable testing without the heavy costs or delays of traditional consulting services. It supports both risk management and compliance needs to help businesses stay secure and agile at the same time.
One of the main reasons PTaaS is a smart choice for the middle market is flexibility. Traditional penetration testing services are often too rigid or expensive, especially when you only need testing for certain applications or during key phases of your project lifecycle.
PTaaS lets you test on demand before a product launch, after a new system is deployed, and on a recurring schedule that aligns with your compliance requirements.
Cost is another important factor. Building an internal penetration testing or red team is usually out of reach for mid-sized organizations. PTaaS eliminates the need to hire full-time testers or consultants, while still providing expert-level insights into your security posture.
And because many PTaaS platforms operate on a credit-based or subscription-based model, it’s easier to plan and manage your security spending over time.
PTaaS also helps meet growing expectations from customers, vendors, and regulators. Being able to demonstrate regular testing and remediation gives you an advantage. It shows that your company takes security seriously and has processes in place to reduce risk even if you don’t have a large security team.
One of the key decisions mid-sized businesses face is selecting the right delivery model. Most providers offer PTaaS in one of two formats: credit-based or subscription-based.
Each has its own benefits and is suited to different operational needs and budgets.
A credit-based PTaaS model allows companies to purchase testing credits that can be used whenever needed. This is ideal for businesses that want flexibility. For example, testing a new application before it goes live or running targeted assessments during seasonal spikes.
It works well for teams that need occasional testing without committing to a full-year service. One of the main advantages of this model is cost control: you only pay for what you use.
However, it may leave gaps in coverage if not managed carefully, especially if security needs change quickly or testing is delayed.
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Subscription-based PTaaS is better suited for organizations that want consistent and ongoing testing throughout the year. With this model, you pay a regular fee and receive scheduled penetration tests and continuous access to the platform.
It supports long-term planning and makes it easier to maintain compliance with security frameworks that require frequent assessments. While the monthly or annual cost might seem higher upfront, it typically results in better security visibility and improved response times over time.
Choosing between these two models depends on your security goals, internal capabilities, and how often your systems change. If you're developing new software regularly, going through compliance audits, or handling sensitive data, a subscription model provides more consistent protection.
If your environment is more static or your budget is limited, the credit-based model can still offer strong value with more control over timing and scope.
For mid-sized businesses, both models bring a significant upgrade over traditional, one-off penetration testing. They allow teams to adapt security practices to real-world needs without overinvesting or falling behind.
Read more on: How to Choose the Right Penetration Testing Services Provider for Your Business?
Not all PTaaS platforms are built the same, and choosing the right one can make a big difference in how effectively your business manages security risks.
For mid-sized companies, it’s especially important to select a solution that provides strong coverage, easy-to-use tools, and supports your team’s workflow ; all without overwhelming your resources.
A good PTaaS platform should connect with your existing systems and development pipelines, especially if you're using CI/CD tools. This makes it possible to run security tests automatically as part of your software release process, helping your team catch issues earlier without slowing down delivery.
Instead of waiting days or weeks for a final report, you should be able to see vulnerabilities as they’re discovered. A live dashboard with prioritization, risk ratings, and remediation guidance can help your team respond quickly and focus on what matters most.
This kind of visibility makes it easier to track progress and report on security posture to leadership or compliance auditors.
Many PTaaS platforms offer built-in chat or comment features so your internal teams can ask questions or get clarification directly from testers. This shortens the time between discovery and resolution, and avoids the delays that come with email chains or third-party coordination.
In addition, advanced features like attacker emulation, threat modeling, and customizable test scopes can add value if your business faces more complex risks. These tools allow you to simulate different types of threats based on your specific industry or infrastructure, which can improve the overall effectiveness of each test.
Look for a provider that offers training, guidance, and responsive help when needed. This ensures your team can utilize the platform fully and get meaningful results from day one.
PTaaS brings the benefits of professional penetration testing without the high costs, long delays, or resource demands that often come with traditional services.
More importantly, it gives your team the tools and support needed to act quickly and confidently when risks are discovered.
Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be out of reach for the middle market. With the right PTaaS solution, mid-sized organizations can build trust with clients and partners, and reduce the risk of costly incidents.
Don’t wait for a breach to reveal your vulnerabilities. Explore how ioSENTRIX credit-based or subscription-based PTaaS can work for your business.
Contact our experts today and take the next step toward smarter, scalable cybersecurity.
PTaaS, or Penetration Testing as a Service, is a cloud-based solution that provides organizations with ongoing access to penetration testing. It allows companies to identify and fix security vulnerabilities through a platform that offers real-time results, collaboration tools, and flexible testing options.
Yes, PTaaS is ideal for mid-sized businesses. It offers a cost-effective way to access expert-level security testing without needing a full in-house team. With flexible delivery models and easy integration into existing systems, PTaaS helps mid-sized companies improve security, support compliance, and stay ahead of evolving threats.
Credit-based PTaaS allows you to pay only for the tests you need, making it affordable for occasional use. Subscription-based PTaaS typically has a fixed monthly or annual fee and includes continuous testing, which can be more cost-effective for businesses with ongoing security needs. Pricing usually depends on test scope, number of assets, and frequency.
Yes, PTaaS supports compliance efforts by providing regular, documented security testing that aligns with standards like SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and ISO 27001. Many compliance frameworks require vulnerability assessments or penetration tests as part of their technical controls, and PTaaS makes it easier to meet these requirements with real-time reporting and structured remediation workflows.
