Vanta has partnered with XBOW to bring autonomous penetration testing directly into its trust management platform. This integration lets startups run high-quality pen tests without the delays or costs typically tied to traditional services. Instead of waiting weeks for human-led testing, companies can now launch fast, automated tests right within Vanta, helping them stay ahead of security reviews and buyer demands.
For early-stage companies, demonstrating security can feel like an uphill climb. With limited brand recognition and lean teams, pen testing is often too expensive or time-consuming to be practical. This new offering aims to fix that. Startups on Vanta’s Plus or Growth plans will get one automated test per year included in their subscription. And because the testing is embedded in Vanta, it’s easier to act on results and close gaps before they become problems.
The XBOW engine runs AI-driven simulations to surface critical vulnerabilities quickly. That means teams get a more complete picture of their infrastructure risk, without bringing in outside consultants. Security and compliance checks that used to take weeks now slot directly into a startup’s existing workflows, cutting down on overhead while raising the bar for trust.
This is part of a broader push from Vanta to make enterprise-level security tools more usable. From vendor risk reviews to employee security training and real-time Trust Centers, the platform is building out a set of tools that help companies prove they’re secure, without slowing down.
