In March 2023, I was sitting in a pitch meeting with a PSU client in Delhi. Everything was going smoothly until they asked a simple question:
“Do you have a valid CERT-In Safe to Host audit report?”
My face went blank.
We had everything else—strong tech, clean UX, even SOC2 alignment. But no CERT-In certification. That one document lost us a ₹1.8 crore government project.
That was the turning point.
We reached out to Prgenix, ran a full CERT-In Cybersecurity Audit, and within 21 days, we were “Safe to Host.” We didn’t just get the stamp—we overhauled our security posture from the ground up.
Today, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know—from what the audit means, why it matters, how it works, and how you can ace it with Prgenix.
And trust me—don’t wait for a contract rejection or breach to take action.
Why CERT-In Cybersecurity Audit & Safe to Host Matters?
1. It’s No Longer Optional—It’s a Dealbreaker
CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) released updated mandates in 2022 that apply to:
- Government contractors and empanelled vendors
- SaaS startups working with health, finance, or governance data
- Hosting providers, telecom infra, and NBFCs
- Any firm storing or processing user data digitally
The “Safe to Host” audit is a compliance benchmark showing your web applications and systems are free of exploitable vulnerabilities.
Without it, you’re shut out of tenders, flagged in procurement screenings, or worse—liable for breaches under the IT Act Section 70B.
2. Real-World Risk is Skyrocketing
India reported over 15.2 lakh cybersecurity incidents in 2023, as per CERT-In.
That’s 1,700+ incidents per day.
Here’s the catch: most of these incidents were preventable.
Had the compromised systems undergone a CERT-In Cybersecurity Audit, they would’ve likely passed the “Safe to Host” checks that catch 95% of known vulnerabilities.
3. Trust, Funding, and Reputation—All Ride on This
- Trying to close enterprise deals? They’ll ask for it.
- Wanting to raise a seed round? VCs demand compliance.
- Running a health-tech or fintech product? You’ll need it for sandbox approval.
A CERT-In audit is no longer just a security task—it’s a business growth enabler.
How Prgenix Helps You Get CERT-In & ‘Safe to Host’ Certified?
Step 1: Asset Inventory & Scope Finalization
We help you list every item that needs testing:
- Web applications
- Backend APIs
- Cloud services (AWS, Azure, etc.)
- Mobile app endpoints
- Admin portals
Each asset is mapped against OWASP Top 10, CERT-In’s testing framework, and your sector-specific threat vectors.
Step 2: VAPT (Vulnerability Assessment + Penetration Testing)
This is where the real work begins.
We deploy:
- Automated scanners (Acunetix, Nessus, Nikto)
- Manual penetration testing (by OWASP-certified experts)
- Business logic abuse testing (role escalation, API tampering)
- Cloud misconfiguration checks
- Authentication/authorization exploits
All findings are CVSS-scored (Critical, High, Medium, Low), with real-time risk levels assigned.
Step 3: Remediation Support
We don’t just drop a report—we help fix it:
- Patch management templates
- Secure coding recommendations
- Infrastructure hardening (cloud, firewall, DBs)
- Retest schedule post-fixes
Our developers and infosec team work directly with yours to ensure issues are resolved securely and quickly.
Step 4: Final Report + Safe to Host Audit by Empanelled Partner
Once you’re breach-proof:
- Prgenix prepares the technical compliance pack
- We coordinate with our CERT-In empanelled auditor partners
- They conduct the final audit, issue the “Safe to Host” certificate
How a Bengaluru Startup Secured Government Approval in 18 Days?
Company: HealthTech SaaS startup (telemedicine + e-prescriptions)
Problem: Application was flagged in ABDM onboarding for security non-compliance
Action:
- Engaged Prgenix for CERT-In Safe to Host
- Completed VAPT in 6 days
- Identified and resolved 2 high-risk vulnerabilities in session handling
- Submitted to CERT-In empanelled auditor
- Received Safe to Host certificate in 12 days
Result:
- Cleared ABDM onboarding
- Won ₹3.2 Cr tender with NHM
- Featured by NASSCOM as a secure health-tech innovator
How to Ace Your Safe to Host Audit?
1. Don’t Wait for Tender Deadlines
Start the audit 30–45 days before tender filing. Rushing it can mean failed audits or missed fixes.
2. Patch Before the Audit Begins
Do an internal scan first. Fix low-hanging fruit like outdated plugins, HTTP usage, open ports, and admin panel exposures.
3. Involve Developers and Infra Team
Security isn’t just an IT issue—it’s a full-stack effort. We provide dev checklists, endpoint hardening tips, and cloud templates.
4. Schedule Retests (Even If Not Mandated)
CERT-In auditors will retest known vulnerabilities if they suspect patching wasn’t proper. Get ahead of them.
FAQs: People Also Ask
1. What is a CERT-In Safe to Host audit?
It’s a cybersecurity audit conducted by a CERT-In empanelled auditor to verify that your application or infrastructure is secure and free from known vulnerabilities, based on VAPT results.
2. Is Safe to Host certification mandatory?
Yes—for firms applying for government projects, onboarding with health or finance APIs (like ABDM, NPCI), or seeking compliance in regulated sectors.
3. Who can conduct the CERT-In Safe to Host audit?
Only CERT-In empanelled auditors. Prgenix partners with several for seamless coordination.
4. How long does the Safe to Host process take?
- Initial VAPT & remediation: 7–15 working days
- Auditor scheduling & final clearance: 5–10 working days
- Total: ~21–25 days
5. What happens if I fail the audit?
You’ll receive a non-compliance report. But with Prgenix, we guide you through fixing all issues and offer free retest assistance until you pass.
Don’t Let a Missing Certificate Block Your Growth
A single document—a CERT-In Safe to Host certification—can open doors to multi-crore projects, investor confidence, and public trust.
I learned that the hard way. But you don’t have to.
Partner with Prgenix and get your web assets fully secured, compliant, and certified.
Because in today’s India, being “safe to host” isn’t just about IT—it’s about being taken seriously.
GET CERTIFIED WITH PRGENIX