Can a penetration report be electronically signed?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally recognized under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96, 2000) and UETA where adopted; ensure intent, consent, signer attribution, and reproducible retention are documented.

Is notarization required for these reports?

Generally no. Notarization is uncommon for technical reports unless contractually required; check contract clauses or procurement rules before seeking notarization.

How long should I retain penetration reports?

Retention depends on contract, industry rules, and federal standards. For healthcare follow 45 CFR §164.530(j) (six years); financial or tax records may require different periods such as IRC §6501(a) (three years).

Should exploit code be included in shared copies?

Avoid including live exploit code in broadly shared copies. Provide sanitized proofs of concept and retain full artifacts in secure access-controlled repositories.

What signer authentication is recommended for sensitive reports?

Use at least email verification plus platform audit trails; for sensitive or regulated reports consider SMS, multi-factor authentication, or higher-assurance methods such as knowledge-based or certificate-backed checks.

How should disagreements about findings be resolved?

Document evidence, timestamps, and test configurations; offer re-testing on fixed items and use scope and rules-of-engagement as the arbitration baseline for disputed findings.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Penetration Testing Report Template

Penetration Testing Report Template

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

Penetration Testing Engagement Agreement

This Penetration Testing Engagement Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into as of Effective Date: between:

Client Name: Client Address: Client Representative: Client Contact (Phone / Email): Provider Name: Provider Address: Provider Representative:

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Client, identified above as Client Name: , requires security testing of specified systems and assets to evaluate vulnerabilities and improve its security posture;

WHEREAS, Provider, identified above as Provider Name: , represents that it possesses the technical expertise, tools, and personnel necessary to perform penetration testing in accordance with the terms set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, Client desires to retain Provider, and Provider agrees to perform such services subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

SCOPE OF WORK

Provider shall conduct penetration testing as described below. The services include active testing, exploitation attempts where authorized, and production of a written report of findings. Testing shall be limited to the assets and test types selected by the parties.

Test Types (select all applicable):

External network testing Internal network testing Web application testing

Mobile application testing Wireless testing Social engineering (phishing, pretexting)

Targets In-Scope (IP ranges, domains, application URLs): Explicit Exclusions (systems, assets, hours):

Authorized testing period shall commence on and end on . Testing hours and maintenance windows will be coordinated between Client and Provider prior to start.

Detailed Scope of Work and Methodology:

DELIVERABLES

Provider will deliver a written penetration testing report that includes: executive summary, scope and methodology, findings categorized by severity, evidence, reproducible steps, and prioritized remediation recommendations. An initial draft will be provided for Client review, followed by a final report upon resolution of editorial comments.

Deliverables / Report Format and Delivery Timeline:

PAYMENT TERMS

Total Fee: Payment Schedule: Late Payment Fee / Interest:

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, all fees are due net 30 days from invoice. Provider may suspend deliverables for overdue accounts after providing written notice and a ten (10) day cure period.

TERM AND TERMINATION

This Agreement begins on Term Start Date: and continues until Term End Date: unless earlier terminated in accordance with this Section.

Either party may terminate this Agreement for convenience upon written notice of days. Either party may terminate immediately for material breach that remains uncured after written notice of breach and a thirty (30) day cure period, or immediately for conduct that creates imminent risk to systems, data integrity, or safety.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA HANDLING

Provider will treat all non-public information and test artifacts as Confidential Information. Provider will not disclose findings, raw exploit code, credentials, logs, or evidence to third parties except as required by law or as necessary to perform services. The confidentiality obligation shall survive termination for a period of unless otherwise agreed.

Data Retention and Disposal:

Provider shall store test results securely and shall destroy or return raw sensitive data within the timeframe agreed above unless Client authorizes retention for remediation validation.

LIABILITY, INDEMNIFICATION, AND INSURANCE

Each party shall indemnify and hold the other harmless from claims arising from its gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with this Agreement. Except for liability arising from gross negligence, willful misconduct, or breach of confidentiality, Provider's aggregate liability shall be limited to . Provider shall maintain commercially reasonable professional liability and cyber liability insurance in amounts consistent with industry practice: .

REPORTING, REMEDIATION, AND VERIFICATION

Findings Summary (Executive Summary of critical issues): Remediation Recommendations and Verification Procedures:

Provider may offer validation testing of remediated items at the agreed hourly rate or fixed fee as set forth in Payment Terms. Verification testing is subject to the same authorization and scope controls as initial testing.

GOVERNING LAW AND ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the state or jurisdiction agreed by the parties: . The parties consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located there for disputes arising under this Agreement.

This Agreement, including any attachments, exhibits, and statements of work executed hereunder, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, proposals, and representations, whether written or oral, concerning the subject matter hereof. No amendment shall be binding unless in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

MISCELLANEOUS

If any provision of this Agreement is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force. Neither party may assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other, except in connection with a merger, sale of substantially all assets, or similar transaction.

Additional Terms or Special Instructions:

By signing below, each party represents and warrants that the person signing on its behalf is duly authorized to bind that party and that all information provided in this Agreement is accurate.

Client:

By:

Date:

Provider:

By:

Date:

What the Penetration Testing Report Template Is

Penetration Testing Report Template is a standardized document used to record findings, methodology, scope, evidence, and remediation steps following a security penetration test. It captures both technical details (vulnerabilities, proof-of-concept steps, timestamps) and business-facing summaries (risk ratings, prioritized fixes). The template supports consistent delivery across engagements, simplifies auditor review, and preserves an auditable trail for contractual, regulatory, or vendor-management purposes.

Why a Consistent Report Matters

A structured template reduces ambiguity, helps prioritize remediation, and creates an auditable record that supports compliance reviews and contractual obligations. Consistency improves comparability across tests and speeds internal decision-making.

Who Typically Prepares and Uses This Report

Typical users include internal security teams, third-party penetration testers, compliance officers, and incident response leads who need a consistent format for documenting findings and recommendations.

Internal security teams — operational owners of remediation and ongoing vulnerability tracking.
Third-party testers — external consultants delivering technical evidence and proof of exploit.
Compliance and audit staff — require standardized reports for regulatory reviews.

Recipients often include executive sponsors, legal counsel, and vendors; distribution varies by confidentiality requirements and contractual obligations.

Core Sections to Include in Every Report

A professional report balances technical detail and executive context: executive summary, scope, methodology, findings and evidence, risk ratings, and remediation plan with ownership and timelines.

Executive Summary

Concise nontechnical summary of scope, overall risk posture, and prioritized remediation items for leadership, including brief timelines and recommended next steps.

Scope

Defines tested assets, IP ranges, applications, environments, exclusions, and the authorized test window to prevent ambiguity about what was in scope.

Methodology

Describes testing approach (black/gray/white box), tools and versions, authentication levels, and rules of engagement including permitted and prohibited actions.

Findings & Evidence

Detailed vulnerability descriptions, severity ratings (for example CVSS), proof-of-concept steps, timestamps, and supporting screenshots or logs for verifiability.

Risk Ratings

A consistent scale that ties technical impact and likelihood to business impact, enabling stakeholders to prioritize fixes by potential operational consequences.

Remediation Plan

Actionable recommendations with ownership, estimated effort, suggested mitigation steps, and re-test criteria to confirm closure and prevent regression.

Essential Metadata and Record Fields

Report Title: Name and version of report template.

Effective Date: MM/DD/YYYY format for test date.

Scope Details: Assets, IPs, applications included.

Tester Information: Name, company, contact, and accreditation.

Risk Summary: Severity levels and counts.

Evidence Attachments: Screenshots, logs, exploit code references.

Step-by-Step: Complete the Report from Start to Finish

Follow this sequence to complete a penetration testing report from initiation through closure, ensuring clarity and an auditable trail for stakeholders.

01

Prepare Scope: Define objectives, assets, and consent before testing begins.
02

Conduct Testing: Execute tests per methodology and log evidence timestamps.
03

Document Findings: Describe issues, impact, and include proofs of concept.
04

Close and Verify: Assign remediation owners and schedule re-tests to confirm fixes.

How to Configure the Template in an Online Workflow

Configure the online template to automate fields, conditional sections, and evidence attachments for repeatable, secure reporting workflows.

Template field identifier for workflow configuration	Configuration options and default values
Automatic date population setting	Populate Effective Date using MM/DD/YYYY by default
Conditional evidence sections	Show appendix fields only when high-severity findings exist
Signer authentication level	Require email or SMS code; optional KBA for high assurance
Attachment handling and retention	Attach logs as PDFs; retain audit trail and set access controls

Platform and File Requirements for eSubmission

For secure eSubmission, choose a platform supporting encrypted transport, audit logs, and controlled access consistent with corporate policies and compliance needs.

Supported Formats: PDF, DOCX, and HTML file formats
Integrations: Salesforce, Google Workspace, NetSuite integration
Authentication: Email, SMS, or advanced signer verification

Verify platform compliance with required frameworks such as ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA for legal validity, and with HIPAA or 21 CFR Part 11 where industry rules demand stronger controls; record the chosen configuration and access rules.

Typical Submission Flow

Typical submission flow shows who prepares, approves, signs, and stores the report, creating a traceable chain from testing through remediation verification.

Upload Document: Tester uploads report and attachments to the platform.
Place Fields: Define signature, date, and evidence attachment fields.
Send for Review: Route to reviewers and assign response deadlines.
Archive Signed Copy: Store final report with audit trail and access controls.

Key Dates and Timing Considerations

Key timing relates to test windows, remediation SLAs, and scheduled re-tests; align dates with contractual obligations and regulatory incident reporting where applicable.

Testing Window Start and End:

Document exact start and end dates in MM/DD/YYYY format.

Initial Findings Delivery Deadline:

Provide draft findings within the agreed SLA, typically five to ten business days.

Remediation Response Deadline:

Assign owners with deadlines, often thirty to ninety days depending on severity.

Re-test Scheduling:

Schedule re-tests after fixes are implemented and verified.

Regulatory Reporting Timeframes:

If a breach is triggered, follow applicable state laws for notification and timing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Vague scope language that omits specific hosts or environments leads to disputes about coverage and responsibilities after testing.
Missing timestamps, logs, or reproducible proof-of-concept steps undermines credibility and makes remediation verification difficult.
Sharing exploit scripts or raw attack code in broadly distributed copies increases operational risk and should be restricted.
Failure to map findings to business impact or ownership causes delays and inconsistent prioritization across stakeholders.

Risks from Incorrect or Incomplete Reports

Contract Breach: Liability exposure

Regulatory Fines: Penalties for late breach reporting

Operational Risk: Unaddressed vulnerabilities exploited

Loss of Privilege: Privilege challenges in litigation

Reputational Harm: Customer trust erosion

Data Exposure: Uncontrolled evidence leaks

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about using, signing, sharing, and retaining penetration testing reports, focused on practical compliance and operational concerns.

Need help? Contact support

Can a penetration report be electronically signed?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally recognized under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96, 2000) and UETA where adopted; ensure intent, consent, signer attribution, and reproducible retention are documented.
Is notarization required for these reports?
Generally no. Notarization is uncommon for technical reports unless contractually required; check contract clauses or procurement rules before seeking notarization.
How long should I retain penetration reports?
Retention depends on contract, industry rules, and federal standards. For healthcare follow 45 CFR §164.530(j) (six years); financial or tax records may require different periods such as IRC §6501(a) (three years).
Should exploit code be included in shared copies?
Avoid including live exploit code in broadly shared copies. Provide sanitized proofs of concept and retain full artifacts in secure access-controlled repositories.
What signer authentication is recommended for sensitive reports?
Use at least email verification plus platform audit trails; for sensitive or regulated reports consider SMS, multi-factor authentication, or higher-assurance methods such as knowledge-based or certificate-backed checks.
How should disagreements about findings be resolved?
Document evidence, timestamps, and test configurations; offer re-testing on fixed items and use scope and rules-of-engagement as the arbitration baseline for disputed findings.

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