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How to write an RFP for pen testing and breach simulation

Requirements, questions, and evaluation criteria specific to pen testing and breach simulation procurement

7 min read

Pen testing and breach simulation RFPs are critical for organizations seeking to proactively identify and mitigate cybersecurity vulnerabilities. These RFPs require a nuanced understanding of attack vectors, defensive frameworks, and the evolving threat landscape to ensure comprehensive security validation. A well-structured RFP helps organizations assess vendor capabilities and select the most effective solution for their specific needs.

What makes pen testing and breach simulation RFPs different

Procuring pen testing and breach simulation solutions differs significantly from other software purchases due to the highly specialized nature of the services and technologies involved. These solutions require deep expertise in offensive security tactics, a comprehensive understanding of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, and the ability to emulate real-world attacker behaviors.

Furthermore, the effectiveness of these solutions depends heavily on their ability to integrate with existing security infrastructure and provide actionable remediation intelligence.nnRegulatory compliance and industry-specific requirements also play a crucial role in shaping these RFPs. Organizations must ensure that the selected vendor can provide the necessary documentation and reporting to meet relevant standards such as PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR.

Additionally, the sensitivity of the information handled during pen testing and breach simulation necessitates a strong focus on data security and privacy.nnFinally, the continuous evolution of the threat landscape demands that these solutions remain up-to-date with the latest attack techniques and vulnerabilities.

Therefore, RFPs must prioritize vendors who demonstrate a commitment to ongoing research and development, as well as the ability to rapidly incorporate new threat intelligence into their platforms.

  • Coverage of the MITRE ATT&CK framework and ability to simulate a wide range of attack vectors
  • Integration capabilities with existing security tools and infrastructure (SIEM, SOAR, EDR)
  • Actionable remediation intelligence and prioritized mitigation steps
  • Production safety and low latency to minimize business disruption during simulations

RFP vs RFI vs RFQ

Here's when to use each document type when procuring pen testing and breach simulation software.

RFI

Request for Information

Use early in your search to understand what vendors offer and narrow your list. Gather general capabilities, company background, and high-level pricing ranges.

RFP

Request for Proposal

Use when you know your requirements and want detailed vendor solutions and pricing. This is your main evaluation document for shortlisted vendors.

RFQ

Request for Quote

Use when requirements are fixed and you just need final pricing. Often used after RFP when you're ready to negotiate with finalists.

For pen testing and breach simulation, an RFI is useful for initial market research to understand different methodologies and vendor approaches. An RFP is essential for detailed technical evaluation and comparing solutions based on specific requirements and use cases, while an RFQ is generally not suitable due to the complexity and customization involved.

Technical requirements checklist

Use this checklist when defining your RFP scope.

Threat Emulation Capabilities

  • Full-spectrum threat emulation (pre- and post-compromise)
  • Simulation of lateral movement and data exfiltration
  • Coverage of common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs)
  • Ability to emulate custom or advanced persistent threats (APTs)

Security Control Validation

  • Validation of web application firewalls (WAFs)
  • Validation of endpoint detection and response (EDR) systems
  • Validation of security information and event management (SIEM) systems
  • Validation of email gateways and phishing defenses

Reporting and Analytics

  • Detailed reporting on identified vulnerabilities and misconfigurations
  • Prioritized remediation recommendations
  • Mapping of findings to the MITRE ATT&CK framework
  • Customizable dashboards and reporting for different stakeholders

Deployment and Integration

  • Cloud-based (SaaS) deployment options
  • On-premises deployment options
  • API integration with existing security tools
  • Integration with vulnerability management systems

Production Safety

  • Safe simulation in production environments
  • Low latency and minimal performance impact
  • Automated rollback and remediation procedures
  • Granular control over simulation scope and intensity

Questions to include in your RFP

Threat Library & Attack Simulation

  • Describe the breadth and depth of your threat library, including the number of attack vectors and techniques covered.
    Ensures comprehensive coverage of potential threats.
  • How frequently is your threat library updated with new threats and vulnerabilities?
    Keeps the solution current with the evolving threat landscape.
  • Can your platform simulate attacks across multi-cloud, on-premises, and hybrid environments simultaneously?
    Verifies support for your organization's infrastructure.
  • Does your platform support the simulation of custom or advanced persistent threats (APTs)?
    Assesses the solution's ability to emulate sophisticated attacks.

Integration & Automation

  • Describe your platform's integration capabilities with SIEM, SOAR, and EDR tools.
    Enables seamless data sharing and automated incident response.
  • Does your platform support API integration for custom workflows and automation?
    Allows for flexible integration with existing systems.
  • How does your platform automate the validation of security controls after remediation?
    Ensures that fixes are effective and don't introduce new vulnerabilities.
  • Can your platform automatically prioritize remediation efforts based on risk and impact?
    Focuses resources on the most critical vulnerabilities.

Reporting & Remediation

  • What types of reports are available, and can they be customized to meet specific requirements?
    Provides actionable insights for different stakeholders.
  • How does your platform map findings to the MITRE ATT&CK framework?
    Facilitates understanding of attacker tactics and techniques.
  • Does your platform provide prioritized remediation recommendations and mitigation steps?
    Guides security teams in addressing identified vulnerabilities.
  • Can your platform generate reports specifically mapped to regulatory frameworks like PCI-DSS, HIPAA, or GDPR?
    Simplifies compliance reporting.

Deployment & Architecture

  • What deployment options are available (cloud, on-premise, hybrid)?
    Ensures compatibility with your organization's infrastructure.
  • Describe your platform's architecture and how it ensures data security and privacy.
    Protects sensitive information during simulations.
  • How does your platform handle the storage and encryption of identified vulnerabilities in our infrastructure?
    Ensures secure storage of vulnerability data.
  • What are the system requirements for deploying and running your platform?
    Helps plan for infrastructure needs.

Production Safety & Performance

  • Describe the measures you take to ensure that simulations do not disrupt production systems or degrade network performance.
    Minimizes business disruption during testing.
  • What is your platform's latency and performance impact during simulations?
    Ensures minimal impact on system performance.
  • Does your platform provide granular control over simulation scope and intensity?
    Allows for targeted and safe testing.
  • What automated rollback and remediation procedures are in place to address any unintended consequences of simulations?
    Provides a safety net in case of unexpected issues.

Vendor Experience & Support

  • How many years of experience does your company have in the pen testing and breach simulation market?
    Assesses the vendor's expertise and stability.
  • Can you provide customer references in our industry or with similar use cases?
    Provides insights into real-world performance and customer satisfaction.
  • What level of dedicated support or account management is included in the base subscription fee?
    Ensures adequate support for implementation and ongoing use.
  • What is your average time between the discovery of a new global threat and its availability in your simulation library?
    Tests vendor responsiveness to emerging threats.

Compliance and security requirements

Depending on your industry, you may need to require proof of these certifications and standards.

PCI-DSS

Required if handling payment card data. If applicable, request current PCI-DSS compliance certificate and AOC

HIPAA

Required for healthcare data. If applicable, request BAA template and HIPAA compliance documentation

SOC 2 Type II

Required for organizations requiring assurance over service provider controls. If applicable, request most recent SOC 2 Type II report

GDPR

Required if processing personal data of eu citizens. If applicable, request GDPR compliance documentation and data processing agreement

ISO 27001

Required for organizations requiring a certified information security management system. If applicable, request ISO 27001 certification

Evaluation criteria

Here is the suggested weighting for pen testing and breach simulation RFPs.

Threat Emulation Coverage Breadth and depth of the threat library and attack simulations
25%
Integration Capabilities Seamless integration with existing security tools and infrastructure
20%
Reporting and Analytics Actionable insights and prioritized remediation recommendations
15%
Production Safety Safe simulation in production environments with minimal disruption
15%
Vendor Experience and Support Vendor's expertise, customer references, and support services
10%
Total Cost of Ownership Implementation, licensing, and ongoing costs
10%
Compliance Support Ability to generate reports mapped to regulatory frameworks
5%

Some weights were adjusted based on your priorities.

  • Increase if complex integration landscape exists

Red flags to watch

  • Excessive Permissions Required

    Software requiring local administrator rights or disabling security features increases your attack surface.

  • Vague Pricing Responses

    Unclear pricing often indicates hidden costs or complex fee structures.

  • No Customer References in Your Industry

    Lack of relevant references suggests limited experience with your specific requirements.

  • Overselling Automation

    Claims that a tool can replace human creativity entirely are likely misrepresentations.

  • Inability to Provide a SOC 2 Type II Report

    Lack of a SOC 2 report raises concerns about the vendor's security posture.

Key metrics to request

Ask vendors to provide benchmarks from similar customers.

Time between threat discovery and simulation availability

Indicates vendor responsiveness to emerging threats.

Percentage of simulated attacks detected by existing controls

Measures the effectiveness of your current security posture.

Reduction in mean time to detect (MTTD)

Shows the impact of the solution on incident response efficiency.

Number of vulnerabilities identified and remediated

Tracks progress in reducing the attack surface.

Implementation timeline for similar customers

Helps set realistic expectations and identify potential delays.