Automation is redefining pentesting (and yes, it’s about time)
While penetration testing remains essential, the delivery of results hasn’t kept pace. Many teams still receive long, static PDFs and then manually copy findings into tools like Jira or ServiceNow—adding delays and eroding value. It promotes automated pentest delivery: streaming findings in real time into the right workflows so remediation starts while testing is still underway. Benefits include faster response, consistent processes, less manual work and lower MTTR. It highlights five components: (1) centralising all findings (manual + scanners) in one place; (2) real-time delivery; (3) rules-based routing and ticketing; (4) standardised remediation workflows; and (5) triggered retesting once fixes land. It warns against over-automating from day one, treating automation as a one-off, and skipping the step of mapping current workflows. A simple “how to start” plan follows: document your process, find friction, automate a couple of high-impact steps, pick tooling that integrates well, and measure improvements. The piece cites PlexTrac as an example platform and concludes that automation is key for both service providers and enterprises moving towards proactive exposure management.
Penetration testing is still brilliant at finding real-world weaknesses—but the way we deliver results often feels stuck in the dial-up era. Big PDFs. Spreadsheet wrangling. Endless ticket copying. By the time fixes start, the moment’s passed.
What’s changed
Modern security teams run frequent tests and continuous exposure management. That means more findings and less patience for manual admin. Enter automated pentest delivery: stream issues straight into your workflows while testing is in progress, so the right people can start fixing things immediately.
Why it matters
• Speed: Real-time delivery beats “wait for the report.”
• Consistency: Every finding follows the same path from triage to closure.
• Less faff: Fewer copy-paste sagas, more engineering time back.
• Better outcomes: Faster retesting, clearer visibility, lower MTTR.
The five building blocks
1. One source of truth: Pull in scanner outputs (Tenable, Qualys, Wiz, Snyk) and manual findings.
2. Real-time delivery: Findings flow automatically—no bottlenecks.
3. Smart routing & ticketing: Assign by severity, owner or asset; raise tickets in Jira/ServiceNow; notify via Slack/email.
4. Standardised workflows: A consistent lifecycle from triage to fix, regardless of where a finding came from.
5. Triggered retesting: When marked “fixed”, validation kicks off automatically—no loose ends.
Common mistakes to avoid
• Boiling the ocean: Start with one or two repeatable workflows, then scale.
• Set-and-forget: Update rules as your stack and team evolve.
• Automating chaos: Map today’s process first; then automate it.
Getting started
1. Document how findings move today.
2. Spot the slow bits and handoff hiccups.
3. Automate a couple of high-impact steps (e.g., ticket creation, notifications).
4. Choose tools that plug into your stack.
5. Measure the wins: MTTR, handoff times, retest rates.
Bottom line: Pentesting is too important to be trapped in static reports. Automate delivery, close the loop, and make fixes happen faster—before attackers do.