More businesses are digitizing their assets, processes, communications, and essential services. With this technological boom came an increase in threats; in fact, 72% of organizations reported an increase in cyber risks in 2024. 

Firewalls and antivirus software are no longer enough to protect organizations from sophisticated attacks. Offensive security (OffSec) services are a must for thriving in a digital-first environment. 

Unlike traditional cybersecurity measures focusing on defensive and reactive measures, OffSec proactively identifies and addresses vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them. 

The right offensive security service provider helps your business assess its weaknesses, shore up your team’s readiness, and strengthen your cybersecurity from the inside out. 

In this guide, you’ll learn what OffSec security service providers are and what they offer. You’ll also see examples of OffSec security and its value in the face of today’s always-on threats. 

What Are Offensive Security Service Providers, and What Do They Do?

OffSec security service providers are businesses specializing in offensive security measures. They offer expert services that help businesses proactively test and assess the security of their systems, networks, applications, and people. 

Unlike traditional cybersecurity software, OffSec service providers use their knowledge of current exploits to simulate actual cyber attacks. 

Rather than waiting for an attacker to breach your systems, offensive security service providers hunt down and address vulnerabilities before malicious hackers can exploit them.

While their exact services will vary, most offensive security service providers offer: 

• Penetration testing
• Red teaming
• AI red teaming 
• Social engineering testing 
• Vulnerability assessments
• Security audits

OffSec services are more comprehensive than traditional moat-and-castle approaches like firewalls. Businesses rely on these services not only to improve security but also to meet compliance requirements, improve employee cybersecurity awareness, and reduce the likelihood of data breaches. 

4 Types of OffSec Service Providers

Offensive security is a broad space, and many service providers choose to specialize in one area. There are several types of providers to choose from, including: 

1. Pentesting: Penetration testing firms employ ethical hackers to simulate real attacks on your business. Pentesting is typically limited in scope to a single application or asset. 
2. Red teaming: Red teaming providers are more thorough, testing multiple applications and infrastructure over a longer period of time. They launch full-scale campaigns that mimic strategies used by real hackers. 
3. Vulnerability assessment and scanning: These providers automate broad vulnerability detection to find known issues across digital assets. While they can help pinpoint issues in cloud-based applications and help with remediation, vulnerability scanning works best in tandem with pentesting or red teaming. 
4. Attack surface management (ASM): ASM is the continuous process of identifying, monitoring, and managing the different potential entry points that make up an organization’s attack surface, viewing the attack surface from an attacker’s perspective. The key to ASM is continuous monitoring, as the modern attack surface is complex and dynamic. 

Why Businesses Need OffSec Security Services

Many businesses don’t have the internal resources or expertise to effectively pursue offensive security. While traditional scanning tools may seem like a practical alternative, today’s rapidly evolving threat landscape demands a more proactive approach. 

That’s why more businesses are partnering with offensive security service providers to uncover and address vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them. Working with an OffSec service provider enables organizations to: 

• Proactively address vulnerabilities: OffSec experts simulate real-world attacks to uncover hidden flaws in web applications, the cloud, internal systems, and even employee behavior. It’s far less costly to identify and fix these issues proactively than to deal with the fallout of a breach. 
• Stay ahead of the latest threats: Your internal IT team may not have the bandwidth or focus to track the latest cyber threats. Offensive security teams do. They operate like attackers, exposing weaknesses that traditional tools overlook, helping you close gaps before they’re exploited. 
• Test your capabilities: Many companies assume their security measures are adequate for stopping an attack, but they often aren’t enough. Offensive security service providers test your incident detection and response capabilities to help you proactively prepare for real-world attacks. 

How To Choose the Right Offensive Security Service Provider

Selecting the right OffSec service provider is critical to ensuring your business gets the most value from penetration testing, red teaming, and vulnerability assessments. To make an informed decision, evaluate providers based on the following key factors. 

Certifications and Expertise

Look for providers with certified ethical hackers who hold recognized credentials, such as: 

• OSCP+ (Offensive Security Certified Professional) – Demonstrates hands-on penetration testing skills.
• OSEP (Offensive Security Experienced Penetration Tester) – Focuses on advanced techniques, evasion, and post-exploitation.
• OSEE (Offensive Security Exploitation Expert) – Covers complex exploit development and advanced Windows exploitation.
• OSWP (Offensive Security Wireless Professional) – Specializes in attacking and securing wireless networks.
• OSWE (Offensive Security Web Expert) – Targets web application vulnerabilities and exploitation techniques.

Certifications ensure the team has proven technical skills, but also assess their real-world experience. Ask about past engagements and success stories.

Reporting Quality and Remediation Guidance

A solid report is more than a vulnerability list. It should include a plain-language executive summary, technical proof of exploitability, and clearly prioritized steps for remediation. 

Bonus points if they include CVSS scores and attack paths. Top providers also offer follow-up support, such as retesting or live consultation. Ask to see a sample report before committing.

Compliance and Regulatory Alignment

If you need to meet standards like GDPR, NIST, ISO 27001, or PCI DSS, your provider must be fluent in those frameworks. They should understand what auditors expect, tailor testing accordingly, and generate documentation that supports compliance efforts. 

For example, a provider familiar with PCI DSS will know exactly how to structure your annual penetration test.

Testing Methodology: Black-Box vs. White-Box

Different goals require different approaches. Black-box testing mimics an outsider with no internal knowledge, which is ideal for simulating real-world attacks. White-box testing offers full access to systems and code, exposing deeper vulnerabilities.

Gray-box testing strikes a balance, offering limited insider knowledge. Choose a methodology that fits your objective—realistic breach simulation or comprehensive audit.

Don’t Choose on Cost Alone

Bargain testing teams often rely on canned scans and junior staff. You might save money upfront, but you’ll pay for it later in missed vulnerabilities or false confidence. 

Instead, invest in a team that provides meaningful insights and sharpens your defenses with proven offensive security tools and tactics. A data breach will cost far more than a thorough security test.

Learn how Mindgard helps standardize AI red teaming reporting with the Mindgard MITRE ATLAS™ Adviser, and check out our Complete Red Teaming Checklist (with PDF Download) to discover how a structured approach to cybersecurity testing ensures that all critical aspects (from scope to reconnaissance, execution, and mitigation) are addressed. 

Security That Strikes First

OffSec is the new standard for cybersecurity. Fortunately, your business doesn’t need internal OffSec resources to stay one step ahead of attackers. 

Offensive security service providers specialize in uncovering hidden vulnerabilities, testing your defenses, and helping you mitigate potential issues to stay secure. This proactive approach puts ethical hackers to work for your organization, safeguarding your brand, customers, and bottom line from real attacks. 

By thinking like the attacker, OffSec providers give you a decisive advantage: the ability to fix issues before they’re exploited by attackers. Mindgard’s advanced AI-focused OffSec service is a comprehensive solution for protecting your AI and LLM models against these evolving threats. Schedule your Mindgard demo to protect your investment in AI. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a vulnerability scan and a penetration test?

A vulnerability scan is automated and identifies known issues across systems, while a penetration test is a manual, human-led attack simulation that exploits vulnerabilities to demonstrate real-world risk and potential impact.

How often should OffSec campaigns occur? 

The frequency varies a lot depending on your business model and industry. Most organizations pentest at least once a year and red team annually or biannually. Vulnerability scans are easy to execute and run anywhere from daily to weekly. 

Is offensive security safe for live environments?

Yes, as long as you’re working with an experienced OffSec team. Reputable providers like Mindgard follow strict procedures and gain approval before testing. We also conduct operations in controlled ways to avoid disrupting services or data.