CERT-IN Certification & VAPT Services for Indian Businesses

In today’s hyper-connected digital economy, cybersecurity is no longer a “technical concern”—it’s a national compliance mandate, a business survival metric, and a trust signal to customers, investors, and regulators alike.

If you’re operating in India and dealing with cloud infrastructure, digital platforms, payment data, healthcare systems, or critical digital services—you are on the radar.

And the government is watching.

India’s CERT-IN (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) has officially mandated strict cybersecurity compliance protocols that apply to:

• Cloud service providers (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
• VPN providers & data centers
• SaaS platforms, payment gateways & digital apps
• Healthcare, fintech, edtech, and enterprise IT firms

If your business processes any form of user data, operates a digital service, or even runs a mobile application—you’re expected to comply with CERT-IN directives, vulnerability disclosure mandates, and incident response protocols.

Failure to comply? It’s not just about hefty fines anymore.

You could face:

• Legal prosecution under the IT Act
• Suspension of digital operations
• Denial of key government tenders
• Blacklisting from enterprise vendor networks
• Breach of trust with customers, investors, and stakeholders

And the government is not giving second chances.

— — —

From Voluntary to Mandatory: India’s New Cyber Compliance Era

On April 28, 2022, CERT-IN released a sweeping cybersecurity directive that shifted the entire compliance landscape in India. What used to be a best practice has now become a binding legal obligation.

Every Indian organization—regardless of size—must now:

• Report cybersecurity incidents within 6 hours
• Maintain logs for 180 days
• Follow mandatory VAPT (Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing) protocols
• Submit periodic CERT-IN audit reports
• Disclose and remediate data breach events transparently

For many businesses, this was a rude awakening. Even startups and SMEs—often with lean tech teams—must now undergo rigorous audits and prove their resilience.

— — —

What is CERT-IN Certification?

CERT-IN Certification is a formal recognition that your organization complies with all key cybersecurity requirements issued by the Government of India’s CERT-IN authority. It validates that your:

• Systems are secure
• Networks are hardened
• Vulnerabilities are patched
• Logs are maintained correctly
• Security policies are documented and auditable

Simply put, it’s your official “cyber clean chit”—allowing you to confidently engage with large enterprise customers, win government projects, and assure stakeholders of your risk posture.

But achieving it is not plug-and-play. You’ll need to navigate complex protocols, run thorough VAPT audits, build policies, maintain logs, and respond to incidents—all within the legal framework.

— — —

VAPT: The Non-Negotiable Core of CERT-IN

CERT-IN mandates that every digital business undergo Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT)—a technical deep dive into your IT infrastructure.

It’s not optional.

Whether you’re hosting a website, managing a SaaS product, or running a mobile app—your systems must be tested for:

• Known vulnerabilities (CVEs, OWASP Top 10, etc.)
• Zero-day attack surfaces
• Data leakage and insecure configurations
• Weak identity access control policies
• Insufficient logging & monitoring protocols

Once done, a CERT-IN empanelled auditor must issue you a remediation plan and help you fix the gaps. Only then can you become CERT-IN certified.

— — —

CERT-IN is Not Just a Certificate – It’s Your Trust Badge

Buyers today are cautious. Data breaches are making headlines. Enterprises are enforcing stricter vendor due diligence policies. Investors ask about your cyber maturity during due diligence. And regulators aren’t forgiving.

CERT-IN Certification is your badge of cyber-trust.

It signals to the world that your organization is:

✅ Secure
✅ Compliant
✅ Enterprise-ready
✅ Regulator-friendly
✅ Resilient to attacks

It’s not just about avoiding penalties—it’s about building credibility, opening doors, and safeguarding your business continuity.

— — —

Why You’re Here & Why You’re in the Right Place

If you’re reading this, you’re probably:

• Worried about non-compliance with the 2022 CERT-IN directives
• Facing client/vendor demands for cybersecurity proof
• Preparing for a government or enterprise contract
• Trying to prevent a cyber incident before it happens
• Looking for VAPT + CERT-IN audit help from real experts

You’ve come to the right place.

Prgenix is India’s most trusted partner for full-scope CERT-IN Certification and VAPT compliance. We don’t just fill in forms—we help you build cybersecurity that works, on the ground, with auditable proof and enterprise-grade policies.

From gap assessments to VAPT audits, from policy drafting to incident response planning, we do the heavy lifting—so you don’t have to worry about legal violations, investor concerns, or losing a deal due to non-compliance.

— — —

Ready to Build a Cyber-Resilient Business?

Whether you’re a tech startup, fintech platform, healthcare SaaS, cloud provider, or an SME moving digital—CERT-IN is no longer optional.

You either comply.
Or you’re at risk.

Let’s make your business secure, compliant, and ready to scale—with full CERT-IN compliance, end-to-end.

What is CERT-IN Certification?

CERT-IN, short for Indian Computer Emergency Response Team, is the apex government agency responsible for handling cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities, and cyber incident coordination in India. It operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

Formed in 2004, CERT-IN’s role has rapidly evolved. What began as an incident response cell is now a powerful cybersecurity watchdog that enforces:

• Mandatory data protection guidelines
• Logging and monitoring rules
• Breach reporting timelines
• Security configuration mandates
• VAPT compliance
• Vulnerability disclosure protocols
• Technical audits for digital infrastructure

If your business touches digital systems—be it apps, servers, APIs, or cloud—you fall under CERT-IN’s scope.

— — —

What Does CERT-IN Certification Mean?

CERT-IN Certification is the official validation that your organization has implemented the cybersecurity measures mandated by CERT-IN.

It covers technical, procedural, legal, and incident response dimensions—ensuring your systems are secure, your team is trained, and your company is resilient.

To achieve this certification, you must undergo:

1. Gap Assessment: Evaluate your existing security controls
2. VAPT Audit: Identify vulnerabilities and attack surfaces
3. Remediation: Patch, reconfigure, or harden your systems
4. Compliance Documentation: Policies, SOPs, incident response plans
5. Audit Report & Declaration: Issued by an authorized cybersecurity consultant or empanelled auditor

— — —

Key Objectives of CERT-IN Certification

Here’s what CERT-IN Certification aims to ensure:

1. Secure Log Retention

Every system must store logs for at least 180 days. These logs help investigate attacks, trace insider threats, and comply with breach reporting.

2. Vulnerability Identification via VAPT

Your digital assets—servers, websites, apps, and APIs—must be scanned and penetration tested to find security flaws.

3. Timely Incident Reporting

Any cybersecurity incident—ransomware, DDoS, unauthorized access, or data leaks—must be reported to CERT-IN within 6 hours.

4. Secure Cloud Configurations

If you use AWS, Azure, GCP, or any cloud platform, your architecture must follow best practices (IAM, encryption, security groups, backups, logging).

5. Risk Documentation & Auditable Trails

You must have internal policies for:

• Risk management
• Incident response
• Vendor assessments
• Access controls
• Secure development lifecycle (SDLC)

These are subject to audit, especially if you’re bidding for government or enterprise projects.

— — —

CERT-IN Compliance = Enterprise-Readiness

CERT-IN Certification is not just a technical checklist—it’s the minimum compliance standard that lets you:

• Respond to RFPs and tenders confidently
• Assure clients of your security hygiene
• Meet legal obligations under the IT Act
• Secure funding (many VCs now demand cyber compliance)
• Prevent reputational and financial damage

If your digital business isn’t CERT-IN compliant, you’re already falling behind.

— — —

CERT-IN and the Law: The Legal Backbone

Here’s what backs CERT-IN with teeth:

In short, non-compliance can lead to fines, shutdown orders, and public lawsuits. CERT-IN is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s your legal responsibility.

— — —

Is CERT-IN Certification Compulsory?

Yes—if you fall into any of these categories:

• Cloud providers, hosting platforms, or CDN operators
• B2B SaaS platforms with user data
• Fintech, healthtech, and e-commerce businesses
• Payment gateway providers
• Digital marketing platforms handling PII
• Managed IT services or vendors handling 3rd-party data
• Apps integrated with Indian government APIs (e.g., Aarogya Setu, DigiLocker)

Even startups that deal with user data or API integrations are being asked to prove compliance by customers and investors.

— — —

Can You Self-Certify?

No. CERT-IN does not accept self-assessment declarations.

You must:

• Engage with a cybersecurity consulting firm like Prgenix
• Conduct third-party VAPT assessments
• Submit documentation and remediation proofs
• Have your security posture validated and signed off by certified professionals

Only then can you claim true CERT-IN Certification.

— — —

Bottom Line: You Need This

In the eyes of your stakeholders, CERT-IN Certification signals maturity, trust, and preparedness.

It makes you vendor-ready, audit-ready, and future-proof in India’s tightening regulatory landscape.

— — —

CERT-IN Certification is your cybersecurity passport to enterprise credibility, legal compliance, and market access.

Don’t leave it to chance.

Cert-In Compliance Scope for Indian Businesses

Let’s be clear—CERT-IN compliance is not optional for a vast majority of digital businesses operating in India. Even if you’re not a tech giant or listed entity, if you:

• Store or process user data
• Operate cloud infrastructure
• Offer web or mobile applications
• Provide IT services or consulting
• Handle client or vendor data
• Sell software or digital products
• Operate a marketplace or fintech gateway
• Deal with healthcare, government, or finance ecosystems

…you are under the CERT-IN radar.

And yes—this includes startups, MSMEs, and remote-first SaaS teams.

— — —

Sectors Mandated to Comply Under CERT-IN 2022 Directive

CERT-IN has explicitly outlined the types of businesses expected to comply. Here’s a structured breakdown:

If you fall under any of the above—even tangentially—you must comply with CERT-IN regulations or risk enforcement.

— —- —-

Still Think You’re Too Small to Comply?

Wrong thinking. Even startups with just 10 employees can be held accountable under CERT-IN laws—especially if you deal with:

• API integrations
• Customer KYC or payment data
• Healthcare or student records
• Location, biometric, or financial info
• Government API systems (e.g., Aadhaar eKYC)

Don’t assume size protects you. CERT-IN focuses on data risk, not revenue or employee count.

If your digital service has reach, handles sensitive data, or operates in regulated sectors—you’re on the compliance radar.

— — —

Cert-In Compliance Touchpoints Across Your Stack

CERT-IN doesn’t just check your front-end website. It audits your entire cybersecurity surface area.

Here’s what that includes:

In short—everything that can be breached is checked. And it’s your responsibility to prove that it’s secure.

— — —

What Makes CERT-IN Compliance Unique in India?

Unlike frameworks like ISO 27001 or PCI-DSS which are global and standard-focused, CERT-IN compliance is uniquely Indian—designed to:

• Match the cyber threat landscape of Indian infrastructure
• Align with Indian legal frameworks like the IT Act and DPDP Act
• Protect government-linked platforms and citizens’ data
• Create traceability for law enforcement via logging & metadata retention
• Build a national network of coordinated cyber incident responders

If you’re targeting Indian users, working with Indian vendors, or building Indian GovTech integrations—this is the compliance standard that truly matters.

— — —

What Happens If You Ignore This?

Here’s what could go wrong:

• Government Notice: CERT-IN has already issued compliance notices to Indian SaaS, VPNs, and data centers in 2023–2024.
• Breach Liability: If you get hacked and can’t prove compliance, you’re liable under the IT Act + DPDP Act.
• Investor Fallout: Institutional funders are now demanding cybersecurity audits in due diligence.
• Vendor Termination: Large clients drop vendors who can’t prove cybersecurity compliance.
• Tender Disqualification: Many Indian government RFPs now demand CERT-IN proof before shortlisting.

Still think this is optional? The cost of non-compliance isn’t just legal—it’s existential.

— — —

The Prgenix Advantage: Compliance without Guesswork

Let’s face it—most founders, CTOs, or compliance officers don’t have time to decode every regulatory update. That’s where Prgenix comes in.

We help Indian businesses:

• Identify their compliance obligations (even hidden ones)
• Conduct full-stack gap assessments
• Run VAPT + patch management
• Document, submit, and audit their systems
• Stay updated with real-time CERT-IN directives

Whether you’re a 10-person team or a 10,000-person enterprise—we ensure your compliance stack is audit-ready, always.

Who Must Get CERT-IN Certified?

One of the biggest myths in the Indian business ecosystem is:

“CERT-IN is only for large tech companies or critical infrastructure providers.”

Wrong.

Since the April 2022 directive, the compliance net has expanded across every sector that interacts with the internet, hosts customer data, or provides any form of digital service.

Whether you’re a startup, SME, enterprise, NGO, or government partner—if you store or transmit data, you’re in scope.

Let’s break this down by industry and use case so there’s no ambiguity.

— — —

1. Healthcare & Health-Tech

Examples:

• Telemedicine apps
• EMR (Electronic Medical Record) systems
• Lab report APIs
• Hospital billing & diagnostics software
• Health insurance tech (TPAs, aggregators)

Why It Matters:

• You handle sensitive personal data (SPD) like health records, prescriptions, diagnostics
• You often integrate with public health systems (Aarogya Setu, DigiLocker health vault, etc.)

What You Must Do:

• Encrypt patient records
• Log access and changes
• Conduct regular VAPT on portals and mobile apps
• Prepare incident response for breach reporting within 6 hours

✅ Required CERT-IN + DPDP + HIPAA/NDHM alignment

— — —

2. Fintech, NBFCs & BFSI

Examples:

• Wallets, neobanks, lending apps
• UPI/BharatQR integrations
• NBFC lending platforms
• Wealthtech and insurtech products

Why It Matters:

• Handle financial data, KYC documents, Aadhaar-based onboarding
• Integrate with RBI-regulated APIs, which demand third-party compliance

What You Must Do:

• Secure encryption keys
• Audit transaction APIs
• Protect mobile app data-at-rest
• Comply with CERT-IN + RBI Cybersecurity Framework

✅ CERT-IN + VAPT + RBI compliance stack essential

— — —

3. E-commerce, D2C & Marketplace Platforms

Examples:

• E-commerce marketplaces (B2B/B2C)
• D2C brand platforms
• Logistics and fulfilment platforms
• Payment gateways, checkout APIs

Why It Matters:

• You collect and process user contact info, payment metadata, and often partner APIs
• You’re a high-frequency attack target (phishing, fraud, MITM attacks)

What You Must Do:

• Run vulnerability scans across shopping flow
• Secure API integrations (orders, payments, delivery tracking)
• Log customer behavior and transactions
• Add DDoS protection

✅ CERT-IN + PCI-DSS integration required

— — —

4. Cloud Infrastructure, Hosting & DevOps Providers

Examples:

• Cloud orchestration tools (e.g., Terraform providers, K8s dashboards)
• VPS and shared hosting providers
• BaaS, PaaS, and DevOps-as-a-Service startups
• Remote server management platforms

Why It Matters:

• You manage the underlying infra for other clients
• A breach in your stack becomes a supply chain compromise

What You Must Do:

• Harden SSH, IAM roles, firewall rules
• Log syslog + cloud trail equivalents
• Provide tenant isolation guarantees
• Apply CERT-IN patches quickly

✅ CERT-IN + internal VAPT + client-side attestation workflows needed

— — —

5. SaaS & Enterprise Tech Startups

Examples:

• CRMs, HRMS, ERPs, analytics dashboards
• Collaboration, project management, file-sharing platforms
• Any web-based tool used by teams or individuals

Why It Matters:

• You collect business-sensitive data and personally identifiable information (PII)
• B2B clients demand proof of security before onboarding vendors

What You Must Do:

• Encrypt database fields
• Use secure cookie policies
• Enable 2FA for users
• Maintain VAPT reports and remediation proof

✅ CERT-IN certification directly increases client confidence and B2B deals

— — —

6. Government Contractors, PSU Partners, & Gov Tech Vendors

Examples:

• NIC subcontractors
• Smart City app developers
• Public health or education SaaS
• Telecom vendors under PM-WANI framework

Why It Matters:

• You operate in a mission-critical ecosystem
• Your code touches citizen data, government infrastructure

What You Must Do:

• Maintain full CERT-IN compliance
• Provide security proof before and after project implementation
• Respond to CERT-IN empanelled audits or queries

✅ Non-compliance leads to disqualification from tenders and future contracts

— — —

7. Mobile App Startups

Examples:

• EdTech apps
• Personal finance managers
• Social networking or productivity tools
• Booking or delivery aggregators

Why It Matters:

• Handle sensitive metadata (location, device info, identity tokens)
• Frequently under scrutiny for malware injections, SDK leaks

What You Must Do:

• Test APKs via dynamic and static analysis
• Monitor APIs for injection risks
• Maintain device-level patching logs
• Add A/B testing controls for script security

✅ CERT-IN + Mobile VAPT combo is non-negotiable

— — —

8. EdTech & LMS Platforms

Examples:

• Online coaching platforms
• Student management systems (LMS)
• Examination and evaluation portals
• Career counseling apps

Why It Matters:

• Store student data, performance metrics, and behavioral analytics
• Many integrate with CBSE, state, or national learning systems

What You Must Do:

• Avoid data misuse through strong access policies
• Conduct regular log audits
• Secure exam APIs and answer submission endpoints

✅ CERT-IN + DPDP readiness is a must.

— — —

What If You Don’t Fit Neatly Into One Category?

Even if your business is hybrid—say, a D2C health product with a mobile app and logistics backend—you’re still expected to comply with multiple layers of CERT-IN responsibilities.

When in doubt, the safest assumption is:

If you touch data, serve users online, or integrate APIs—you’re obligated to comply.

— — —

Prgenix Makes It Easy to Know What You Need

At Prgenix, we don’t give you a generic checklist.

We provide an industry-specific, system-specific compliance roadmap customized for your:

• Sector regulations
• Tech architecture
• Third-party integrations
• Legal exposure
• Cloud/service stack

Whether you’re a SaaS, fintech, IoT company or healthcare startup—our experts know what applies, what doesn’t, and what will keep you 100% compliant and audit-ready.

Why VAPT is Crucial Under CERT-IN?

If CERT-IN compliance is the goal, VAPT (Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing) is the engine that drives it.

No business—regardless of size, sector, or tech stack—can be certified under CERT-IN without undergoing comprehensive VAPT. This is not a checkbox activity or a one-time scan. It is a deep, investigative security audit into how exposed your digital assets are—and how easily an attacker can breach them.

— — —

What Exactly is VAPT?

Vulnerability Assessment (VA):
An automated scan that finds known weaknesses in your systems—like outdated libraries, open ports, default credentials, or missing patches.

Penetration Testing (PT):
A manual, ethical hacking exercise where certified experts try to exploit those vulnerabilities—mimicking real-world attackers to test how deep the damage could go.

Together, VAPT simulates cyberattacks and tells you:

• Where you’re weak
• How an attacker could get in
• What the real damage would be
• What you must fix to prevent it

— — —

CERT-IN’s directive doesn’t mince words:

“Organizations must conduct periodic vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to proactively identify, assess, and patch weaknesses in their IT systems. VAPT must be performed by professionals adhering to CERT-IN guidelines.”

What This Means for You:

• VAPT is mandatory, not optional
• It must be done regularly (quarterly, at minimum for critical systems)
• It must be documented with clear remediation logs
• It must cover all exposed infrastructure (apps, APIs, cloud, servers, endpoints)

— — —

What Does CERT-IN-Compliant VAPT Include?

A true CERT-IN-aligned VAPT audit goes beyond superficial scans. It covers the entire attack surface. Here’s what must be tested:

— — —

What Happens During a VAPT Engagement?

Here’s what a standard Prgenix CERT-IN-compliant VAPT engagement looks like:

Phase 1: Scoping & Asset Discovery

We identify your attack surface—apps, cloud instances, databases, endpoints, APIs.

Phase 2: Vulnerability Assessment

We run automated and semi-automated scans to find known security holes.

Phase 3: Penetration Testing

Certified ethical hackers manually exploit your weak points to simulate a real-world attack.

Phase 4: Documentation & Evidence

We provide a detailed report with CVSS scoring, impact analysis, and remediation advice.

Phase 5: Remediation Support

We help your developers or infra team fix the issues, retest them, and close the compliance loop.

Phase 6: Final CERT-IN-Ready Report

We issue a formal, audit-ready VAPT report with proof of closure—required for CERT-IN submission.

— — —

Real-World Threats VAPT Helps You Prevent

The consequences of not performing VAPT? Breaches, lawsuits, fines, loss of customer trust—and CERT-IN will hold you liable.

— — —

Who is Authorized to Perform CERT-IN Compliant VAPT?

Only qualified cybersecurity professionals or firms should handle this. At Prgenix, our VAPT teams include:

• CEH (Certified Ethical Hackers)
• CISSPs
• OSCP-certified red teamers
• Cloud security professionals (AWS/GCP/Azure certs)
• Experience working under CERT-IN reporting formats

We ensure your VAPT is valid under Indian legal and regulatory frameworks, not just technically sound.

— — —

When Must You Conduct VAPT?

CERT-IN suggests the following minimum frequency:

Let’s be blunt—if you haven’t done a VAPT in the last 90 days, your business is vulnerable.

CERT-IN doesn’t accept assumptions or guesswork. They want proof of protection. That proof comes through a detailed, time-stamped, CVSS-scored VAPT audit trail.

You can’t fake it. You can’t delay it. And you definitely can’t grow your business securely without it.

— — —

The Prgenix Edge: Real VAPT, Real Results

At Prgenix, we’ve conducted 500+ enterprise-grade VAPT audits across sectors:

• Fintech
• Healthtech
• Cloud startups
• SaaS and DevOps platforms
• Government vendors

Our process is fast, accurate, and CERT-IN aligned—ensuring compliance + security, not just checkboxes.

We don’t just scan. We think like hackers – so your systems don’t suffer like victims.

The CERT-IN Certification Process: Certification Roadmap

CERT-IN compliance isn’t some vague government checkbox. It’s a structured, technical, and legally guided process with very clear expectations. But here’s the truth: most companies struggle not because the requirements are unclear—but because they approach the process without a proper roadmap.

This section lays out the end-to-end certification journey, based on what Prgenix has executed successfully across 500+ Indian businesses.

— — —

Phase 1: Discovery & Scoping

Objective: Know what you need to protect. This phase answers the question:

“What exactly do we need to make CERT-IN compliant?”

It includes:

• Business model review (B2C, B2B, marketplace, SaaS, etc.)
• Regulatory mapping (CERT-IN, DPDP, RBI, etc.)
• Architecture scoping: apps, servers, databases, APIs, cloud services
• Internal vs. external assets separation
• Identification of high-risk areas (sensitive data, third-party APIs, etc.)

At the end of this phase, you’ll have:

✅ A compliance scope document
✅ Asset inventory + risk exposure profile
✅ Tailored audit plan aligned with your business model

— — —

Phase 2: Gap Assessment

Objective: Identify what’s missing. Here, we compare your current setup against CERT-IN standards.

We assess:

• Logging policies (are logs stored for 180 days?)
• Incident response (do you have a plan, a team, an escalation flow?)
• Security documentation (do you even have policies written?)
• Employee awareness (do people know what to do during a breach?)
• Cloud and infra configurations (IAM, firewall, encryption, etc.)
• Web/app security posture (authentication, input validation, session mgmt.)

The result?

✅ A Gap Analysis Report that shows:

• What you’re doing right
• What’s missing
• What’s non-compliant
• What’s high-risk and needs urgent fixes

— — —

Phase 3: Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing (VAPT)

Objective: Test your systems like a real attacker would. As detailed in Section 5, this phase includes:

• Automated scans (CVEs, OWASP Top 10, known exploits)
• Manual exploitation (role escalation, data exfiltration, bypasses)
• Cloud and infrastructure penetration
• Mobile app testing (Android/iOS)
• API abuse scenarios
• Credential brute-force and misconfiguration analysis

At the end:

✅ You get a VAPT Report with:

• CVSS scores for each vulnerability
• Business impact assessment
• Screenshots/evidence
• Developer remediation plan

— — —

Phase 4: Remediation & Risk Mitigation

Objective: Fix everything uncovered in VAPT and Gap Analysis. You (or your tech team) must:

• Patch outdated systems
• Fix insecure endpoints
• Implement WAF rules
• Improve authentication and session controls
• Rewrite policies for access control
• Encrypt sensitive fields (e.g., personal identifiers, financial data)

Prgenix works hands-on here—guiding your devs and IT teams, reviewing the fixes, and re-testing until all issues are closed.

✅ Result: All open vulnerabilities are closed
✅ You now have a clean, secure tech stack

— — —

Phase 5: Documentation & Policy Creation

Objective: Show proof of control and readiness. CERT-IN expects structured documentation for audit and legal tracing. We help you generate:

All documents are aligned with Indian regulatory expectations and global infosec frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST, etc.).

✅ Outcome: Full policy suite, mapped to your business

— — —

Phase 6: Final Audit & Sign-Off

Objective: Get certified and close the compliance loop. Once your system is patched and policies documented:

• Our CERT-IN-trained auditors review all assets
• Re-check VAPT closure
• Cross-verify log storage, backup plans, and IR flow
• Validate cloud configurations
• Check policy implementation (not just existence)

If everything checks out…

✅ You receive a CERT-IN Certification Readiness Report
✅ Full package includes:

• VAPT report
• Remediation summary
• Audit findings
• Policy index
• CERT-IN compliance attestation (signed by cybersecurity experts)

This is what your legal, vendor, or enterprise clients want to see.

— — —

Phase 7: Breach Response Simulation & Training (Bonus but Critical)

CERT-IN mandates 6-hour breach reporting. That means your staff must know exactly what to do when something goes wrong.

We conduct a Tabletop Simulation of a breach:

• Fake incident triggered (e.g., ransomware in server logs)
• Real-time test of response flow
• Evaluate internal communication
• Legal notification practice
• Client & vendor coordination
• Post-breach logging and forensic steps

✅ Outcome: Your team is not just compliant—but battle-ready

— — —

Timelines: How Long Does CERT-IN Certification Take?

NOTE: Timelines depend on your responsiveness, existing gaps, and infrastructure complexity. Prgenix accelerates delivery by working directly with your developers, CTOs, and legal teams.

— — —

Don’t Rely on Templates or One-Off Audits

CERT-IN isn’t a one-time affair. Once you’re certified, you must:

• Re-audit after major app updates
• Maintain logs and policies continuously
• Stay updated with changing CERT-IN advisories
• Retest your systems every 3–6 months

With Prgenix, you get ongoing compliance support—not just a single PDF.

Understanding CERT-IN Certification Costs in 2025

Most Indian businesses hesitate when they hear the word “certification”—expecting long processes, high expenses, and unpredictable consultant fees.

But here’s the truth: non-compliance will cost you far more than doing things the right way.

Data breaches, client distrust, legal action, and disqualification from tenders are all avoidable losses. In comparison, CERT-IN certification is a strategic investment—one that builds long-term credibility, audit protection, and deal flow.

In this section, we break down all the costs, no fluff—so you can budget intelligently and move ahead confidently.

—

1. Cost Components of CERT-IN Certification

The total cost of CERT-IN compliance depends on four core elements:

A. Scope & Complexity of Your Infrastructure

• Number of web applications, mobile apps, APIs
• Volume of data stored and processed
• Public-facing vs. internal systems
• Cloud + on-prem mix
• SaaS integrations, third-party vendor risk

💡 The larger your attack surface, the higher your audit and remediation efforts—and hence, cost.

B. Depth of VAPT (Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing)

A basic vulnerability scan costs less. But CERT-IN demands in-depth testing, including:

• Manual exploitation
• Infrastructure-level penetration
• Mobile app attack simulation
• Cloud IAM + storage security review

💡 CERT-IN doesn’t approve shortcut scans. You’ll need professional, certified VAPT—ideally signed off by certified security experts like CEH, OSCP, or CISSP.

C. Policy Documentation & Training

Unless you’re already ISO 27001 or NIST compliant, chances are you lack formal:

• Security policies
• Incident response plans
• Logging protocols
• Access control SOPs

Creating these from scratch and aligning them with your unique tech stack takes time and expertise.

💡 A good partner will write, customize, and implement these policies for you (Prgenix does).

D. Certification Audit & Final Validation

Once you’re ready, a third-party cybersecurity consultant or CERT-IN-aligned auditor must:

• Review all technical controls
• Validate VAPT closure
• Evaluate compliance documentation
• Conduct a simulation or breach readiness check
• Sign off your CERT-IN readiness report

This audit process has a fee, depending on the certifying entity and complexity involved.

— — —

2. Typical Cost Ranges in 2025 (India)

Here’s a transparent cost range based on real market data, updated for 2025 standards:

Note:

• GST extra (18%)
• Prices vary based on tech complexity and responsiveness
• Government vendors require more documentation and field-level evidence

— — —

3. What’s Included in a Full-Scope CERT-IN Package by Prgenix?

We offer an all-inclusive, fixed-scope package tailored to your risk level. Here’s what’s covered:

No hidden fees. No per-hour surprises. 100% outcome-driven.

— — —

4. Can You Reduce Cost Without Reducing Compliance?

Absolutely—but not by cutting corners.

You can optimize your budget by:

• Scoping smart: Focus on your actual threat surface, not your entire org at once
• Bundling services: If you also need DPDP or ISO 27001, we offer combined packages
• Using a retainership model: Ongoing quarterly audits cost less than one-off rescans
• Acting early: Proactive compliance saves rework costs (especially during deals or tenders)

💡 At Prgenix, we offer flat-fee plans for startups, SMEs, and critical sectors to keep costs fair and outcomes strong.

— — —

5. What’s the Cost of NOT Getting CERT-IN Certified?

Here’s a brutal but real comparison:

One missed compliance step can undo years of effort. CERT-IN certification isn’t an expense—it’s insurance against a very public failure.

— — —

6. Funding & Reimbursement Options

If you’re an early-stage startup or building for public use, you might qualify for:

• MeitY support schemes
• Startup India reimbursements (under DPIIT)
• Enterprise customer co-payments (for B2B SaaS)
• Government co-funding for PSU-integrated tech

💡 Prgenix helps clients identify co-funding options, especially for first-time CERT-IN projects.

Add-On Services That Strengthen Your Cyber Compliance

CERT-IN certification is a major milestone, but it’s not the final destination. It’s your entry ticket to secure business growth, not your last step.

If you’re serious about scaling without setbacks, you need to go beyond basic compliance and build a holistic cyber defense strategy—especially in India’s high-risk digital environment.

Let’s look at the most powerful add-on services that amplify your CERT-IN readiness, boost your reputation, and close gaps your competitors are leaving open.

—

1. DPDP Act Compliance (India’s Data Protection Law)

If you collect personal data of Indian users—names, emails, Aadhaar numbers, or financial info—you must comply with the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023.

This law is now in force, and non-compliance has fines up to ₹250 Cr.

What It Adds to CERT-IN:

• Consent management system
• Data subject access request workflow (SAR)
• Purpose limitation records
• Cross-border data transfer evaluation
• Privacy policy + internal notices
• DPIA (Data Protection Impact Assessment)

💡 CERT-IN is about security. DPDP is about privacy. Both must be implemented together to avoid legal risk.

🟢 Prgenix offers combined CERT-IN + DPDP packages to save time and cost.

— — —

2. ISO 27001 Implementation

CERT-IN proves you’re compliant with Indian cybersecurity law. ISO 27001 proves you follow global best practices.

ISO 27001 is the gold standard in infosec frameworks. Most enterprises demand it in procurement. If you’re planning to go international or close B2B contracts, this boosts your credibility significantly.

Key Additions:

• ISMS (Information Security Management System)
• Audit logs, data classification, risk treatment plans
• Continuous improvement cycles (PDCA)
• Mandatory internal audits
• Evidence-based risk mitigation

💡 CERT-IN is mandatory. ISO 27001 is strategic—it opens deals and builds trust.

— — —

3. Red Teaming & Advanced Penetration Testing

Standard VAPT (covered under CERT-IN) tells you what’s vulnerable. Red teaming tells you how you’ll actually get hacked.

This is a live, no-notice attack simulation where ethical hackers act as adversaries—testing your detection and response readiness.

What’s Simulated:

• Phishing and social engineering
• Insider threats
• Compromised vendor accounts
• Privilege escalation
• Physical breach (if you have offices or data centers)

💡 For fintech, healthtech, and high-value SaaS platforms, this is the next level of security maturity.

🟢 Prgenix offers red team simulations tailored to your business risk profile.

— — —

4. 24/7 SIEM Monitoring + SOC Setup

CERT-IN mandates that you retain logs. But who is watching those logs?

A SIEM (Security Information & Event Management) tool helps you:

• Detect unusual logins
• Spot brute-force or credential stuffing attacks
• Track malware or DDoS activity
• Get alerts before breaches escalate

Pair this with a Security Operations Center (SOC)—and you’re operating like a Fortune 500 security team.

💡 For companies scaling past 100 users, SIEM + SOC is a game-changer.

🟢 We help you set up or outsource 24/7 monitoring—even on a startup budget.

— — —

5. Cybersecurity Training for Teams

CERT-IN won’t protect you from your own employees. And 80% of breaches globally start with human error.

We offer role-based cybersecurity awareness training:

We also conduct phishing simulation tests—a requirement in many CERT-IN audit cycles.

— — —

6. Business Continuity Planning (BCP) & Disaster Recovery (DR)

CERT-IN requires a written incident response plan. But investors and enterprise clients want more: a business continuity framework.

We help you document and implement:

• RTO (Recovery Time Objective)
• RPO (Recovery Point Objective)
• Alternate communication and data access methods
• Asset and site failover plans
• Crisis communication guidelines

💡 BCP/DR planning isn’t just for large businesses. One ransomware attack can kill an SME without it.

— — —

7. Custom Security Dashboards for Investors & Clients

Clients and investors increasingly ask questions like:

• “Are you CERT-IN or ISO certified?”
• “How do you manage incident escalation?”
• “What’s your recent VAPT result?”

We create investor-friendly, board-ready security dashboards that include:

• Compliance status
• Open vulnerabilities
• Risk scores
• Recovery readiness
• Third-party vendor risk index

These dashboards can be updated monthly, quarterly, or in real time via a secure portal.

— — —

Prgenix: Your Long-Term Compliance Partner

We don’t stop at CERT-IN.

We help Indian businesses build cyber maturity for every stage of growth.

From your first VAPT to your IPO security audit—we’re in it with you. Our add-on services are modular, affordable, and tailored to your evolving risk surface.

Common CERT-IN Audit Failures & How to Avoid Them?

9 out of 10 Businesses Fail Their First Audit. The biggest mistake most Indian businesses make with CERT-IN compliance is assuming it’s a one-time checkbox exercise.

Reality check: CERT-IN audits are technical, ruthless, and legally binding.

They don’t care about how fast you’re growing or how promising your startup looks. They care about proof of cybersecurity controls—and most companies don’t have it when it matters.

This section outlines the most frequent reasons why organizations fail their CERT-IN audit, and how you can avoid becoming the next cautionary tale.

— — —

#1: No Log Retention or Integrity Controls

What CERT-IN Wants:

• Logs must be retained for 180 days minimum
• Logs must be tamper-proof
• Must cover firewalls, endpoints, servers, cloud activity, VPNs, and apps

Why You Fail:

• Logs are overwritten or missing
• No centralized logging system
• No ability to produce forensic logs within 6 hours

Fix It:

• Implement centralized logging (e.g., ELK stack, Wazuh, or SIEM)
• Retain all logs in encrypted, immutable formats
• Set log rotation and access control policies

✅ Prgenix helps you create a CERT-IN-aligned log policy + configure log integrity protections.

— — —

#2: Superficial or Non-Compliant VAPT

What CERT-IN Wants:

• Manual + automated VAPT
• Full CVSS scoring
• Evidence of remediation
• CERT-IN-style audit format

Why You Fail:

• Used a cheap scanner with no manual testing
• Failed to fix vulnerabilities found
• Couldn’t provide proof of re-testing

Fix It:

• Use certified testers (CEH, OSCP)
• Document every finding, fix, and verification
• Include screenshots, logs, and closure notes in audit file

✅ All VAPT by Prgenix includes certification-grade reporting, impact scores, and closure logs.

— — —

#3: Missing or Copy-Pasted Policies

What CERT-IN Wants:

• Security policies customized to your org
• Proof of implementation (not just PDF on Google Drive)
• Incident Response Plan, Data Handling Policy, Access Control SOP, etc.

Why You Fail:

• Used generic templates from the internet
• No internal training or enforcement
• Policies don’t match actual practices

Fix It:

• Create policies based on your actual tech stack and org structure
• Conduct team awareness sessions
• Version control and track policy acknowledgment

✅ Prgenix writes your policies from scratch—legally sound, auditor-ready, and battle-tested.

— — —

#4: Cloud Misconfigurations

What CERT-IN Wants:

• Secure cloud IAM policies
• Encrypted storage (EBS, S3, etc.)
• Monitoring of cloud login activity
• Removal of open ports (e.g., 22, 3389) unless justified

Why You Fail:

• No IAM roles—everyone uses root accounts
• Public S3 buckets with PII or backup files
• Insecure APIs and secrets in environment files

Fix It:

• Audit IAM roles using AWS IAM Access Analyzer or GCP Policy Troubleshooter
• Lock down all ports, monitor access via CloudTrail/Stackdriver
• Use KMS for encryption, enforce MFA

✅ Our cloud security experts map your infra and fix misconfigurations across AWS, GCP, Azure.

—- — —

#5: No Incident Response Plan (IRP)

What CERT-IN Wants:

• A written IRP with RACI matrix (Who does what, when)
• Ability to detect, respond, and report within 6 hours
• Internal + external escalation flow

Why You Fail:

• No team knows what to do when a breach occurs
• No breach communication policy
• No mock drills ever conducted

Fix It:

• Create a RACI-based IRP (e.g., CTO = Technical lead, CEO = Media spokesperson)
• Simulate breach scenarios
• Align IRP with CERT-IN’s breach response guidelines

✅ We create, document, and drill your IRP until your team can handle real-world attacks.

— — —

#6: Insecure Third-Party Integrations

What CERT-IN Wants:

• Vendor risk assessment
• Secure SDK and API usage
• Contractual clauses around data security

Why You Fail:

• Using open-source libraries with known vulnerabilities
• SDKs in apps sending data to unknown servers
• No written agreements with IT vendors

Fix It:

• Audit all external code and APIs
• Replace or patch risky libraries
• Create vendor risk scoring and onboarding policy

✅ Our team performs full third-party risk assessment and due diligence mapping.

— — —

#7: No Proof of Ongoing Compliance

What CERT-IN Wants:

• Quarterly VAPT reports
• Continuous monitoring
• Training logs, audit logs, update logs

Why You Fail:

• You did one-time fixes but never followed up
• No evidence of system updates or staff refreshers
• No quarterly internal audits

Fix It:

• Schedule recurring compliance calendar
• Keep changelogs, audit logs, access reviews
• Assign a compliance officer or team

✅ Prgenix offers quarterly audit retainers and compliance dashboards to keep you always ready.

— — —

Bonus: Avoid These Hidden Mistakes Too

Don’t Be the Case Study Everyone Reads After a Breach

CERT-IN compliance is real, regulated, and ruthless.

But with the right partner, you can turn it into a competitive advantage—and become the vendor clients trust, not the one they replace.

Why Prgenix is the Trusted Partner for CERT-IN + VAPT?

Choosing the right partner makes all the difference.

CERT-IN compliance is high-stakes. One wrong move—and you’re exposed to legal risks, data breaches, client churn, or worse—public regulatory action.

But with the right partner, you don’t just stay safe—you move faster, close bigger deals, and lead your industry in trust and accountability. That’s exactly what Prgenix delivers.

— — —

🔰 Who We Are?

Prgenix is India’s premier regulatory compliance and cybersecurity advisory firm, built for modern digital-first businesses.

We’re not just consultants—we’re your:

• Strategic compliance partner
• Certified VAPT execution team
• Legal and audit readiness engine
• Cyber risk mitigation guide
• Business continuity co-architect

We’ve helped 500+ Indian businesses across SaaS, fintech, healthcare, manufacturing, e-commerce, and government vendor ecosystems achieve full CERT-IN + VAPT compliance—without the overwhelm.

— — —

Why Businesses Choose Prgenix Over Generic Cybersecurity Vendors?

— — —

Our CERT-IN Compliance Framework

When you work with Prgenix, you don’t just “hope for a certificate”—you follow a tested, verifiable framework:

1. Deep-Dive Discovery – Map infra, cloud, data flows
2. Regulatory Mapping – CERT-IN + DPDP + ISO alignment
3. Gap Assessment – What you have, what you lack
4. Manual VAPT Audit – CVSS scoring, red teaming if needed
5. Remediation Guidance – Step-by-step, developer-friendly
6. Policy Suite Delivery – Fully customized documents
7. Final Certification – Audit-ready report & evidence kit
8. Ongoing Support – Quarterly compliance cycles & alerts

Each phase is handled by dedicated experts, not junior interns or outsourced freelancers.

— — —

Our VAPT Superiority

When it comes to penetration testing, we go deeper than just CVE scanning.

Our certified ethical hackers (CEH, OSCP, CISSP) deliver:

• Manual exploitation of logical flaws
• Cloud misconfig tests (IAM, S3, security groups)
• Mobile app reverse engineering
• API fuzzing and abuse path discovery
• Role privilege escalation analysis
• Simulated attack chains (red team methods)

Our VAPT is not checkbox-driven. It’s attacker-mindset-driven. That’s why our clients clear audits on the first attempt.

— — —

📂 Custom Legal-Grade Documentation

Most vendors dump policy templates and disappear. At Prgenix, we draft, tailor, and train your teams on:

Each policy includes version control, implementation logs, and stakeholder sign-off templates.

— — —

End-to-End Integration with Privacy & Risk Frameworks

CERT-IN doesn’t operate in isolation.

You also need to:

• Align with the DPDP Act
• Map risks per ISO 27001 / NIST standards
• Conduct privacy impact assessments
• Demonstrate investor-grade governance

Prgenix provides one integrated compliance roadmap across:

• CERT-IN
• DPDP
• ISO 27001
• SOC 2 (optional for SaaS)
• RBI frameworks (for fintech)

This avoids overlap, saves cost, and keeps all teams aligned.

— — —

Industry Use Cases: Who We Serve?

— — —

Audit Readiness Score – A Unique Prgenix Advantage

We provide a proprietary “Compliance Score Dashboard” that lets you track your readiness at every stage.

It includes:

• VAPT closure %
• Risk heatmap
• Open vulnerabilities
• Policy maturity levels
• Training coverage
• Incident readiness checklist

This dashboard is boardroom-friendly and client-facing—giving you an edge in RFPs, VC meetings, and legal reviews.

— — —

Your Compliance Shield – Not Just Another Vendor

We don’t sell fear.
We build confidence.

CERT-IN certification with Prgenix isn’t about avoiding penalties—it’s about unlocking:

• Enterprise contracts
• Government deals
• Investor term sheets
• Reputational moat
• Cyber-resilient growth

We help you grow without the fear of security incidents or regulatory action holding you back.

FAQs: CERT-IN Certification & VAPT Services

— — —

Want These Answers in Your Inbox?

Download Our Free CERT-IN Compliance FAQs PDF – With checklists, timelines, pricing insights, and audit preparation tips.

Or speak to a compliance expert now.

— — —

Don’t Wait for a Breach or Government Notice to Act

Every day you delay CERT-IN compliance, you’re taking unnecessary risks:

• A single exposed API could lead to a data breach.
• One missing log could fail an audit.
• A VAPT finding ignored could cost you a tender or client.
• A non-compliance status could stall your next funding round.

The worst part? Most of these failures are preventable—with the right partner, at the right time.

— — —

The Smartest Companies Don’t Just Get Certified – They Use Compliance as a Competitive Advantage

CERT-IN compliance isn’t just about protection. It’s about positioning your business as trustworthy, ready for enterprise deals, and built to last in a privacy-conscious, regulation-heavy future.

Prgenix helps you:

✅ Get certified the right way—no fluff, no generic templates
✅ Implement real security—not just pass audits
✅ Close deals faster—by proactively showing audit readiness
✅ Grow without fear of regulatory or legal bottlenecks

— — —

We Make CERT-IN Simple, Fast, and Outcome-Driven

Your certification roadmap starts with a 30-minute strategy call—no jargon, no pressure.

We’ll cover:

• Your current stack and exposure
• What CERT-IN expects from your business
• Where your risks and gaps are
• What an ideal compliance plan looks like
• Timelines, deliverables, pricing, and team alignment

In return, you’ll get:

✔️ Clarity on what applies to you
✔️ A customized roadmap
✔️ A VAPT & certification checklist
✔️ One free compliance health score

All without signing a contract.

Book Your Free CERT-IN Consultation Call Today

Your future investors, clients, and regulators will ask:

“Are you CERT-IN certified?”
“Can you show us your latest VAPT?”
“Where’s your breach response SOP?”

Let’s make sure you have the right answers—before you need them.

👇

(Limited slots available this month. Priority given to companies in active RFPs or investor due diligence.)