Affordable, bespoke vulnerability assessment and penetration testing (VAPT) plus security hardening for South African businesses. Find and fix weaknesses across servers, networks and web apps. Request a quote.
What is VAPT, and why does your business need it?
VAPT stands for vulnerability assessment and penetration testing — a combined approach to discovering where an attacker could get into your systems, proving which weaknesses are genuinely exploitable, and then closing those gaps. For most South African businesses the real question isn’t “do we have vulnerabilities?” (everyone does) — it’s “which ones actually matter, and how do we fix them without breaking the budget?”
That is exactly what LDD is built to answer. We run structured security testing across your servers, network and web applications, rank what we find by real-world risk, and hand you a report you can actually act on — followed by practical help applying the fixes. The outcome is a more secure, hardened environment, not just a frightening PDF that gathers dust.
With 20+ years building and running production systems for South African clients, LDD approaches security from the defender’s side of the fence: we understand how your servers and applications are actually deployed, so our findings come with remediation guidance that fits your stack and your team.
A bespoke, affordable alternative to expensive pen-test firms
Specialist penetration-testing firms can be prohibitively expensive — often pricing security testing out of reach for the very SMEs and mid-market businesses that need it most. LDD takes a different, deliberately pragmatic approach.
We have built a custom, purpose-built security-testing toolkit that lets us run thorough, repeatable assessments efficiently. That efficiency is passed on to you: instead of a once-off luxury engagement, security testing becomes something you can afford to do properly and do often.
- Bespoke, not boilerplate — testing is scoped to your actual environment and the way you run it, not a generic checklist.
- Find and fix — we don’t stop at the report; we help you apply the hardening so weaknesses are actually closed.
- Scalable and cost-effective — testing is scoped per server, and the more servers you include, the more cost-effective it becomes per server.
- Continuous, not once-off — we offer discounted recurring testing (for example quarterly) so your security posture is checked regularly as your systems change.
Pricing is straightforward and quote-based, with no surprise extras. Request a quote on WhatsApp and we’ll scope it to your environment.
Vulnerability assessment vs penetration testing: the honest difference
These two terms get used interchangeably in marketing, but they are not the same thing — and understanding the difference helps you buy the right level of testing.
Vulnerability assessment
A vulnerability assessment is breadth-first. It systematically scans your servers, network and web apps to identify and list known weaknesses — missing patches, misconfigurations, exposed services, weak TLS, outdated software and more. The goal is comprehensive coverage: a prioritised inventory of what could be a problem. It’s the right starting point for almost every business, and the most cost-effective way to get a clear picture of your exposure.
Penetration testing
A penetration test is depth-first. It goes a step further and attempts to safely validate and exploit selected weaknesses — proving whether an attacker could actually chain them together to reach sensitive data or gain control. A pen test answers “could this really be broken into, and how far could someone get?” with concrete, evidence-backed proof rather than a theoretical list.
How LDD combines them (VAPT)
In practice, the strongest value comes from doing both: a wide vulnerability assessment to map the whole attack surface, then focused penetration testing to confirm the findings that matter most. Any genuine exploitation we perform is safe, controlled and only on agreed, in-scope targets — we capture minimal proof, never destructive actions, and never exfiltrate your data. We’ll always recommend the right depth for your needs and budget rather than overselling.
What we test
- Servers — operating-system patch levels, exposed and misconfigured services, remote-access exposure (SSH/RDP posture), insecure protocols and weak configurations.
- Network & perimeter — open ports and services, firewall and exposure gaps, TLS/SSL configuration, and what an outsider can actually reach.
- Web applications — common web weaknesses aligned to industry standards (injection, authentication and session flaws, access-control issues, exposed files and secrets, security-header and cookie hygiene).
- Authenticated & insider scenarios — where you provide a login or internal access, we test what a logged-in user or insider could reach that they shouldn’t.
How an LDD engagement works
Our methodology follows the recognised industry framework for technical security testing (NIST SP 800-115), which keeps every engagement structured, repeatable and honest about what was and wasn’t covered.
1. Scope & authorisation
Nothing is tested without written authorisation. We agree the exact targets, the test window and the rules of engagement up front — this is both the legal and the technical contract for the work.
2. Choose the right depth
We pick the engagement model that fits your goal: black-box (external attacker with no knowledge), grey-box (a logged-in user or compromised low-privilege account), or white-box (full visibility for an exhaustive pre-launch or insider-risk review).
3. Assessment & safe validation
Using our bespoke testing stack we discover and analyse the attack surface, then safely validate the findings that matter. Any deeper exploitation is performed manually, carefully and only with your sign-off.
4. Clear, client-facing reporting
You receive a report written for decision-makers, not just engineers: each finding has a risk rating, a plain-English explanation of the business impact, and evidence of the issue. Where it helps your technical team, a detailed companion report is available too.
5. Prioritised remediation & hardening
This is where LDD stands apart. We give you a prioritised remediation plan — what to fix first, and how — and we help you actually apply the hardening. Security testing only delivers value once the holes are closed.
6. Re-test & ongoing assurance
After fixes are applied we can re-test to confirm each finding is genuinely resolved. With discounted recurring testing, your posture stays checked as your systems evolve. A test is always a point-in-time snapshot — recurring testing is how you keep that snapshot current.
How VAPT supports your POPIA, PCI DSS and ISO 27001 efforts
South African organisations have a legal duty under POPIA to secure personal information. Section 19 of the Act requires “appropriate, reasonable technical and organisational measures” to prevent loss of, damage to, or unauthorised access to personal information — and, importantly, to identify reasonably foreseeable internal and external risks. Regular vulnerability assessment and penetration testing is one of the most direct ways to demonstrate that you are actively identifying and addressing those risks.
VAPT also supports wider compliance and certification work: it feeds the technical-testing and vulnerability-management expectations of frameworks such as PCI DSS and ISO 27001, and our hardening guidance helps you close the gaps those frameworks care about.
An honest note on accreditation: LDD helps you find, fix and harden — we are not positioned as an accredited or independent certifying auditor. If your auditor, payment provider or insurer specifically requires a formal accredited or independently certified test, we’ll tell you so plainly and advise you on the right path, rather than overstate what we provide. For organisations building toward certification, our ISO 27001 compliance system design service complements this testing work.
Keep security continuous after the test
A penetration test tells you where you stand today. Staying secure means watching for new threats every day. LDD’s ThreatPulse managed SIEM monitoring gives you ongoing, around-the-clock visibility into security events after the hardening is done, while InfraPulse keeps your infrastructure healthy and monitored. Together with recurring VAPT, they turn security from a once-a-year scramble into a continuous, manageable discipline.
Why LDD for VAPT in South Africa
- Local and accessible — a South African team that understands local businesses, budgets and the POPIA landscape.
- Defender’s mindset — 20+ years building and running production systems means our fixes are practical, not just theoretical.
- Find and fix — we close the loop with hands-on remediation and hardening, not just a report.
- Honest scoping and advice — we recommend the right depth, the right cadence, and tell you the truth about what we can and can’t certify.
- Affordable and scalable — scoped per server, cheaper per server at volume, with discounted recurring options.
Ready to find out where you really stand — and get help fixing it? Request a VAPT quote on WhatsApp or message LDD sales on +27 62 503 0200.
Remote Security Testing for Clients Beyond South Africa
South Africa is our home market, but security testing is delivered remotely over the internet, so where your business is based makes no difference to the work. We assess web applications, servers and network-facing systems wherever they are hosted, which means we can support clients across the rest of Africa, in Ireland, Portugal, the UK, the EU and worldwide, all without anyone needing to be on site.
The approach stays the same wherever you are: we find the weaknesses, show you exactly how they could be exploited, then help you fix them and harden what is left so the same gaps do not reappear. You get a clear, plain-English report with prioritised, practical remediation steps rather than a wall of raw scanner output. The testing is carried out with our own custom security-testing toolkit and structured manual review, so the findings reflect real risk to your systems.
We also understand that testing has to fit your compliance obligations. Engagements are scoped and documented to support both GDPR for clients in Ireland, Portugal, the UK and across the EU, and POPIA here in South Africa, with data handled carefully throughout. Tell us what you need assessed and request a quote or reach us on WhatsApp at +27 62 503 0200.
Frequently asked questions
What does VAPT stand for?
VAPT stands for vulnerability assessment and penetration testing. A vulnerability assessment broadly identifies and lists weaknesses across your systems, while a penetration test goes deeper to safely prove which of those weaknesses are genuinely exploitable. LDD combines both, then helps you fix what’s found.
What’s the difference between a vulnerability assessment and a penetration test?
A vulnerability assessment is breadth-first — it maps and prioritises all the weaknesses it can find. A penetration test is depth-first — it attempts to safely exploit selected weaknesses to prove real-world impact. Most businesses benefit from a wide assessment plus focused testing on the findings that matter most.
How much does penetration testing cost in South Africa?
LDD’s testing is scoped per server, and the more servers you include the more cost-effective it becomes per server. We also offer discounted recurring testing (such as quarterly) so security stays continuous. Pricing is quote-based and scoped to your environment — request a quote and we’ll size it for you.
Will the testing disrupt our live systems?
Our testing is controlled and scoped to agreed targets and an agreed test window, with rules of engagement set before any work begins. Vulnerability assessment is non-destructive, and any deeper exploitation is performed carefully, only on in-scope systems, with your sign-off and minimal proof captured. We never destroy data or exfiltrate information.
Does VAPT help us comply with POPIA?
Yes. POPIA section 19 requires you to take appropriate, reasonable measures to secure personal information and to identify reasonably foreseeable risks. Regular VAPT is a direct way to demonstrate you are identifying and addressing those risks. It also supports PCI DSS and ISO 27001 efforts. Note that LDD helps you find, fix and harden — we are not an accredited certifying auditor, and we’ll advise you honestly if your situation requires a formally accredited test.
Do you only report problems, or do you help fix them?
We do both. Every engagement ends with prioritised remediation and hardening guidance, and we help you apply the fixes. We can also re-test afterwards to confirm each issue is genuinely resolved. Finding and fixing weaknesses — hardening — is the whole point.
How often should we test?
Because a test is a point-in-time snapshot, and your systems change over time, regular testing is far more valuable than a one-off. Many clients choose discounted recurring testing (for example quarterly), with additional tests after any major change to your servers or applications.
Ready to get started? Talk to LDD.