What Is a Cybersecurity Health Check? Services, Costs, and Vendor Comparison Guide [2025]

What Is a Cybersecurity Health Check? Services, Costs, and Vendor Comparison Guide [2025]

What Is a Cybersecurity Health Check? Services, Costs, and Vendor Comparison Guide

"Does our company need a cybersecurity health check?"

This is a common question among business executives. They've heard it costs hundreds of thousands of NT dollars, but they don't know what it actually involves or what value it provides.

This article explains cybersecurity health checks in the plainest terms possible.

After reading, you'll know: what items are included, how costs are calculated, and how to choose a vendor. Whether to do it and how — you can decide for yourself.

What Is a Cybersecurity Health Check?

💡 Key Takeaway: A cybersecurity health check is like a "physical examination" for your business.

Just as people get health checkups to uncover potential health issues, companies need cybersecurity health checks to identify security weaknesses in their systems and processes.

Why Do You Need a Health Check?

You might think: we have antivirus software and firewalls — that should be secure enough, right?

The problem is: how do you know those protections are actually working?

The purpose of a cybersecurity health check:

Discover vulnerabilities you didn't know about

Your systems may have vulnerabilities that you've never detected.

Common situations:

• Servers running outdated software with known vulnerabilities
• Websites with SQL injection flaws that have never been attacked
• Employees with weak passwords whose accounts haven't been compromised yet

These issues are invisible in daily operations, but attackers spot them immediately.

Verify that security measures are effective

You've purchased many security products — but are they actually working?

A health check can test:

• Whether firewall rules are correct
• Whether intrusion detection systems respond
• Whether backups can actually be restored

Meet compliance requirements

Many regulations and standards require periodic health checks:

• Cyber Security Management Act: Specific non-government agencies must undergo security audits
• PCI DSS: Penetration testing required for credit card processing
• ISO 27001: Periodic risk assessments required
• Financial industry: Annual testing required by regulators

Gain improvement direction

Health check reports list problems and recommendations, so you know where to allocate resources.

Health Check vs. Audit vs. Assessment

These three terms are often used interchangeably, but they differ:

A cybersecurity health check focuses on the "technical side" — looking for system vulnerabilities.

A security audit focuses on the "management side" — checking whether policies are being followed.

A risk assessment takes a "comprehensive view" — evaluating the impact and probability of various risks.

Companies typically need all three working together.

Cybersecurity Health Check Services

A cybersecurity health check isn't a single service — it's a combination of multiple testing items.

Common items include:

Vulnerability Scanning

Automated tools scan systems to find known vulnerabilities.

Scan Targets

• Servers (Windows, Linux)
• Network devices (firewalls, switches)
• Web applications
• Databases

Testing Content

• Software version vulnerabilities (CVE)
• Configuration errors (insecure settings)
• Default passwords
• Open risky ports

Tool Examples

• Nessus
• Qualys
• OpenVAS
• Acunetix (web)

Advantages

• Fast, affordable
• Broad coverage
• Can be automated on a schedule

Limitations

• Only finds "known" vulnerabilities
• Higher false positive rate
• Cannot find logic flaws

Penetration Testing

Real ethical hackers simulate attacks to verify whether vulnerabilities can be exploited.

Difference from Vulnerability Scanning

Vulnerability scanning is like a blood test during a checkup — it tells you that values are abnormal.

Penetration testing is like a doctor's hands-on examination — confirming whether the anomaly is a real problem and how severe it is.

Test Types

Test Scope

• External penetration: Attacking from the internet
• Internal penetration: Assuming access to the internal network
• Web application: Focused on website vulnerabilities
• Wireless network: Testing WiFi security
• API testing: Testing API interfaces

Execution Process

1. Reconnaissance: Gather target information
2. Scanning: Identify potential weaknesses
3. Exploitation: Attempt attacks
4. Privilege escalation: Gain higher permissions
5. Lateral movement: Expand control scope
6. Reporting: Document the process and findings

Advantages

• Validates real risks
• Discovers logic flaws
• Tests defensive capabilities
• Reports include attack evidence

Limitations

• Higher cost
• Takes time (1-4 weeks)
• Quality depends on tester experience

Social Engineering Testing

Tests employee security awareness.

Common Methods

Phishing Email Testing

Simulated phishing emails are sent to employees to see how many will:

• Click links
• Enter credentials
• Open attachments

Phone Phishing

Impersonating IT staff or management to see if employees will reveal sensitive information.

Physical Testing

Testing whether employees will:

• Allow strangers to tailgate into the building
• Pick up and plug in found USB drives
• Post passwords on their monitors

Why It Matters

According to statistics, over 90% of attacks begin with social engineering.

No matter how good your technical defenses are, one careless employee can undermine everything.

Test Results

Typically include:

• Click rate (how many people clicked)
• Submission rate (how many entered credentials)
• Department comparisons
• Benchmarks against industry averages

Source Code Review

Direct examination of program code to find security issues.

Applicable Scenarios

• Internally developed systems
• Outsourced applications
• Critical core systems

Testing Content

• OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities
• Hardcoded passwords or keys
• Insecure function usage
• Access control flaws

Methods

• Automated scanning (SAST tools)
• Manual review

Tool Examples

• SonarQube
• Checkmarx
• Fortify

Configuration Review

Checks whether system and device configurations follow best practices.

Items Checked

• Operating system hardening
• Database security settings
• Cloud service configurations
• Network device settings

Reference Benchmarks

• CIS Benchmark
• Vendor security guides
• Internal policies

Red Team Exercise

The most comprehensive and advanced test.

A red team is a group that "simulates real attackers." They test not only technology but also people and processes.

Difference from Penetration Testing

Red team exercises test your detection and response capabilities, not just vulnerability discovery.

Suitable For

• Large enterprises with baseline security measures
• Organizations wanting to verify SOC or MDR effectiveness
• Those with advanced security needs

Cybersecurity Health Check Process

How a typical health check project proceeds:

Phase 1: Requirements Confirmation

Scope Discussion

• Which systems need testing?
• What is the IP range?
• Are there time windows that cannot be tested?
• What are the objectives?

Document Signing

• Engagement contract
• Authorization letter (very important — unauthorized penetration testing is illegal)
• Non-disclosure agreement

Duration: 3-5 business days

Phase 2: Reconnaissance and Scanning

Information Gathering

• Domains, IPs
• Public information
• Technical architecture

Scanning Execution

• Vulnerability scanning
• Port scanning
• Web scanning

Duration: 3-7 business days (depending on scope)

Phase 3: In-Depth Testing

Penetration Testing

• Validate vulnerabilities
• Attempt exploitation
• Document process

Social Engineering

• Send test emails
• Track results

Duration: 5-15 business days (depending on scope and depth)

Phase 4: Report Writing

Report Content

• Executive summary (for management)
• Findings overview
• Detailed description of each finding
• Risk levels
• Remediation recommendations
• Technical evidence

Duration: 3-5 business days

Phase 5: Report Presentation

Meeting Content

• Explain findings
• Answer questions
• Discuss priorities
• Recommend next steps

Duration: 1-2 hour meeting

Total Timeline

Small project (primarily vulnerability scanning): 2-3 weeks Medium project (including penetration testing): 3-5 weeks Large project (comprehensive health check): 6-8 weeks

Cybersecurity Health Check Cost Estimates

Costs vary by scope, depth, and vendor. Below are approximate 2025 Taiwan market rates.

Costs by Item

Package Plans

Many vendors offer package plans:

Basic Health Check: NT$100,000-200,000

• Vulnerability scanning
• Basic report
• Suitable for: First-time assessments, small businesses

Standard Health Check: NT$300,000-600,000

• Vulnerability scanning
• Penetration testing (external)
• Social engineering (phishing emails)
• Complete report
• Suitable for: Mid-sized businesses, annual assessments

Comprehensive Health Check: NT$800,000-1,500,000

• All scanning items
• Internal and external penetration testing
• Social engineering
• Source code review
• Configuration review
• Suitable for: Large enterprises, high compliance requirements

Factors Affecting Cost

Scope

100 IPs versus 1,000 IPs — the price differs significantly.

Testing Depth

Scanning only vs. deep penetration — the work hours differ by 5-10x.

Time Pressure

Rush jobs cost more. Standard timelines are cheaper.

Vendor Scale

Large international firms are typically more expensive but offer more consistent quality.

Report Requirements

English-language reports or detailed technical reports may incur additional charges.

Want to know which health check your business needs? Book a free assessment — we'll help you plan the most suitable approach.

How Much Should You Spend?

Rule of thumb: 1-3% of annual IT budget for cybersecurity health checks.

• 50-person company: NT$100,000-300,000/year
• 200-person company: NT$300,000-800,000/year
• 500+ person company: NT$800,000-2,000,000/year

Start with the basics for your first time, understand the situation, then decide on next year's plan.

Choosing a Cybersecurity Health Check Vendor

There are many vendors on the market. How do you choose?

Vendor Types

International Firms

• Examples: Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, EY
• Pros: Brand reputation, mature methodologies
• Cons: High prices, may use junior staff

Local Cybersecurity Companies

• Examples: CHT Security, ISSDU, Trade-Van
• Pros: Local service, reasonable pricing
• Cons: Varying scale, inconsistent quality

Specialized Penetration Testing Teams

• Examples: DEVCORE, TeamT5
• Pros: Technical depth, real-world experience
• Cons: May have full schedules, focused scope

System Integrators with Add-on Services

• Examples: Systex, MiTAC
• Pros: Know your environment, one-stop service
• Cons: May not be a core competency

For a detailed vendor comparison, see Taiwan Cybersecurity Company Rankings.

Selection Criteria

1. Professional Certifications

Do testers hold professional certifications?

• OSCP (Penetration Testing)
• CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)
• GPEN (GIAC Penetration Tester)
• CREST (International Certification)

Does the company hold certifications?

• ISO 27001 (Information Security Management)
• CREST member

2. Real-World Experience

Ask them:

• How many engagements have they completed?
• Do they have experience in your industry?
• Can they provide case studies (anonymized is fine)?

3. Report Quality

Request sample reports:

• Are findings clearly described?
• Are remediation recommendations practical?
• Are reproduction steps included?

A bad report has only one line: "Found SQL injection."

A good report includes: vulnerability location, attack steps, impact description, remediation methods, and references.

4. Communication Skills

A health check isn't just technical work — communication matters:

• Reports in your language?
• Report presentation meeting?
• Follow-up consultation?

5. Confidentiality and Insurance

Confirm they have:

• Non-disclosure agreement
• Professional liability insurance (in case something breaks during testing)

6. Follow-up Services

After the health check:

• Is re-testing available?
• Does remediation consulting cost extra?
• Can they assist with improvements?

Comparing Quotes

Get quotes from 2-3 vendors and compare:

• Whether scope is consistent
• Whether work hours are reasonable
• Staff qualifications
• Report content

Don't just look at the total price. The cheapest option may have a smaller scope or lower quality.

Red Flags

Be cautious when you encounter:

• Quoting without reviewing the environment (unprofessional)
• Prices that are absurdly low (quality may be questionable)
• Refusing to sign an authorization letter (illegal)
• Not providing sample reports (quality may be poor)
• Testers without certifications (may be inexperienced)

FAQ

How often should a health check be done?

At least once a year is recommended.

If there are major changes (new system deployment, major upgrades), additional testing is recommended.

Certain regulations require semi-annual or quarterly checks.

Will a health check affect system operations?

Vulnerability scanning: Minimal impact, may generate some additional traffic.

Penetration testing: May have an impact, so it's typically done during off-hours or in a test environment.

Professional vendors will communicate beforehand to avoid disrupting normal operations.

What if the report finds problems?

1. Look at the risk level first — prioritize high-risk items
2. Discuss remediation approaches with the vendor
3. Fix internally or outsource the fixes
4. Re-test to confirm the fix

Finding problems isn't the end — fixing them is what counts.

Can we do it ourselves?

Vulnerability scanning can be done in-house — the tools aren't expensive.

However, penetration testing should be outsourced. It requires professional experience, and internal testing may have blind spots.

Plus, testing yourself creates a conflict of interest.

Who should see the health check report?

• Executive summary: Management, board of directors
• Detailed report: IT managers, security personnel
• Technical details: Developers, system administrators

The report is a sensitive document — handle it with care.

Is penetration testing legal?

It's legal with authorization.

The key point: you must have written authorization clearly specifying the scope and timeframe.

Unauthorized penetration testing is illegal and violates criminal law.

How do you test cloud environments?

It depends on the cloud provider's policies.

AWS, Azure, and GCP all have penetration testing policies — certain tests require prior approval.

The testing scope also differs — you can only test your applications, not the underlying infrastructure.

For more cloud security information, see Complete Cloud Security Guide.

Next Steps

Now that you understand cybersecurity health checks, here's how to get started:

Recommended Actions

1. Assess needs: What are you most worried about? Are there compliance requirements?
2. Inventory assets: How many servers, websites, and endpoints do you have?
3. Set a budget: How much are you willing to invest?
4. Contact vendors: Have 2-3 vendors evaluate and quote
5. Compare and choose: Consider scope, quality, and price holistically

Related Resources

For further reading:

• Complete Information Security Guide: Overview of cybersecurity fundamentals
• Taiwan Cybersecurity Company Rankings: Reference for choosing vendors
• EDR vs MDR vs SOC: Continuous protection after the health check

Want to get a cybersecurity health check for your business?

Not sure which items to include or which vendor to choose?

CloudSwap can help you:

• Assess your business needs and risks
• Recommend appropriate health check items
• Match you with suitable service providers

Book a consultation — let us help you plan the ideal cybersecurity health check.

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