The HIPAA Security Rule does not use the exact phrase "penetration testing" either, but §164.308(a)(8) requires covered entities and business associates to perform a periodic technical evaluation of their security safeguards, and OCR guidance and enforcement actions consistently treat penetration testing as the expected way to evidence that evaluation, particularly after a reported incident.
We test the systems that actually hold PHI, and deliver a report built to slot directly into your Security Risk Assessment documentation.
We scope the engagement to whatever stores, processes or transmits PHI — EHR integrations, patient portals, APIs, billing systems and the cloud infrastructure hosting them — and map every finding to the specific administrative or technical safeguard it relates to under the Security Rule, so the output supports your periodic technical evaluation directly.
Why it matters
Healthcare remains one of the most targeted and breached sectors, ransomware and PHI theft are constant threats, and OCR fines for Security Rule violations are real, public, and frequently tied to an organisation's inability to show it tested proactively. A breach notification obligation lands very differently on an organisation that can show a recent, documented technical evaluation than one that cannot.
What we test
- PHI-handling application & API penetration testing
- EHR & patient-portal integration security testing
- Cloud infrastructure hosting PHI — configuration review
- Access control & authentication testing (§164.312)
- Technical safeguard evidence mapping (§164.308(a)(8))
- Post-remediation retest for compliance evidence
Common vulnerabilities we uncover
- PHI reachable through weak access controls or broken authorization
- No documented periodic technical evaluation for the Security Rule
- Legacy or third-party EHR integrations with excessive trust
- Cloud storage of PHI without adequate configuration review
- No tested incident-response process for a PHI breach
- Missing evidence to support your Security Risk Assessment
Our methodology
- Scoping & rules of engagement. We agree objectives, targets and boundaries for your hipaa penetration testing, so testing is safe, authorized and focused on what matters to your business.
- Reconnaissance & mapping. We enumerate the full attack surface in scope, building a complete picture before any exploitation begins.
- Manual exploitation. Our senior testers chain vulnerabilities by hand — going far beyond automated scanners — to prove real, demonstrable impact.
- Analysis & reporting. Every finding is triaged, risk-rated with CVSS and written up with a copy-paste reproduction and clear remediation.
- Remediation support & free retest. We support your team through the fixes and retest the remediated issues to confirm they are genuinely closed.
Tools & techniques
We manually test EHR integrations, patient portals, APIs handling PHI, and the cloud infrastructure hosting healthcare data, mapping every finding to the specific safeguard it relates to under §164.312 and §164.308. The result reads as compliance evidence as much as a technical report, because that is how it will actually be used.
When you need this engagement
- You are a covered entity or business associate handling PHI
- Your Security Risk Assessment is due for its periodic technical evaluation
- You are launching a new patient portal, EHR integration or telehealth platform
- A partner or payer has requested evidence of your security testing
- You have never had an independent, manual assessment — only an internal checklist
What you receive
- Manual penetration test report across PHI-handling systems
- Technical safeguard evidence mapped to the Security Rule
- Security Risk Assessment supporting documentation
- Access control & authentication findings
- Prioritised remediation roadmap
- Free retest with documented evidence
What’s included in your report
Every hipaa penetration testing engagement concludes with a comprehensive, board-ready report and a working session to walk your team through it. Your report includes:
- An executive summary with overall risk posture for non-technical stakeholders
- Detailed technical findings, each with a step-by-step, copy-paste reproduction
- CVSS v3.1 severity ratings and business-impact context for every issue
- Prioritized, actionable remediation guidance your engineers can apply directly
- A complimentary retest to confirm fixes and update finding status
- A formal attestation letter for customers, auditors and compliance programs
Standards & frameworks
HIPAA Security Rule (45 CFR §164.308, §164.312)
HHS OCR guidance
NIST SP 800-66
Outcomes you can expect
After your hipaa penetration testing, you will have clear, evidence-based visibility into your real security risk — not a scanner’s guesswork. You will know exactly which weaknesses an attacker could exploit, what the business impact would be, and the precise steps to fix them in priority order. Teams use our findings to close critical gaps, satisfy customer and regulator security requirements, and demonstrate due diligence to their board. With a complimentary retest included, you also get documented proof that the issues are genuinely resolved.
Engagement details & logistics
Every hipaa penetration testing starts with a short, no-obligation scoping call to understand your goals, environment and constraints, followed by a fixed-price proposal and a clear statement of work. Most engagements are delivered fully remotely, with on-site work arranged where it genuinely adds value. Throughout testing we maintain an agreed communication cadence and escalate any critical, high-impact finding to you immediately rather than waiting for the final report. All work is performed under a signed NDA with strict data-handling controls, using safe, non-disruptive techniques and carefully coordinated rules of engagement to protect your production systems. On completion you receive your report and a walkthrough session, followed by a complimentary retest once your fixes are in place. Typical engagements are booked one to three weeks in advance, and urgent or pre-deadline testing can often be accommodated — just ask at hi@agentoffense.com.
Why organizations choose AgentOffense
Our hipaa penetration testing is delivered by senior offensive-security engineers who test the way real attackers do — manually, creatively and with a relentless focus on proving genuine, demonstrable impact. Here is what sets our engagements apart:
- Manual, exploit-driven testing that chains vulnerabilities the way a real attacker would, going far beyond what automated scanners can find.
- Reproducible proof for every finding, with copy-paste reproduction steps your engineers can follow and independently verify.
- Honest severity calibration so you invest in fixing what genuinely matters and avoid wasting effort on false positives and noise.
- Clear, business-focused reporting that speaks to engineers and executives alike, tying every issue to real-world impact.
- A complimentary retest included, so you get documented proof that your fixes actually close the attack path.
- Responsible, collaborative delivery with a named point of contact and secure handling of all data throughout the engagement.
Explore related services
HIPAA Penetration Testing is frequently scoped alongside our other offensive-security services for broader coverage. Explore related engagements that complement it:
How much does HIPAA Penetration Testing cost?
Every hipaa penetration testing is scoped and priced individually, so you pay for exactly the coverage you need — with no hidden extras. After a short, no-obligation scoping call we send a fixed-price quote, usually within one business day, with clear deliverables, a firm timeline and a complimentary retest included. The price of your hipaa penetration testing depends on the size and complexity of the target and the depth of testing required, so you always know the cost up front before any work begins.
Get a fixed-price quote
Frequently asked questions
Does HIPAA require penetration testing?
The Security Rule does not use the exact phrase "penetration testing," but §164.308(a)(8) requires a periodic technical evaluation of your security safeguards, and OCR guidance and enforcement actions consistently treat penetration testing as the expected way to evidence that evaluation.
How is this different from a HIPAA Security Risk Assessment?
A Security Risk Assessment is a broader review of your administrative, physical and technical safeguards. Penetration testing is the hands-on technical validation that feeds into it — we can deliver just the testing component for an assessment already underway, or run alongside a full SRA.
Which systems need to be in scope?
Anything that stores, processes or transmits PHI — EHR systems, patient portals, APIs, billing systems, and the cloud infrastructure hosting them.
How often should we test?
At least annually, and after any significant change to systems handling PHI — more frequently if you have had a prior incident or your cyber insurer requires it.