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Pentest in Kazakhstan: what it is, whether it is legal and how much it costs

KEMEL.TECH · Updated

A pentest (penetration test) is a security check in which specialists, under a contract with the system owner, try to hack the systems the way a real attacker would. In Kazakhstan a pentest is legal with the written permission of the resource owner; without it, it is unlawful access to information (Article 205 of the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan). At KEMEL.TECH the client pays only for confirmed vulnerabilities: from 15,000 ₸ for a low one to 600,000 ₸ for a critical one, and if there are no vulnerabilities, the report is free.

What a pentest is, in plain words

A pentest answers the question “can we be hacked, and how”. Specialists look for weak points in the website, user account area, API, mobile app and external perimeter, confirm them without harming data or service operation, and explain how to fix them.

As a result the client receives a report: a description of each vulnerability, its severity on the CVSS scale and recommendations for developers. After the fixes, a repeat check (retest) is carried out.

Is a pentest legal in Kazakhstan

Yes, provided there is written permission from the resource owner (Authorization Letter). Work without permission is classified as unlawful access to information under Article 205 of the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan.

  • An NDA between the client and the contractor.
  • A testing agreement with clear boundaries: domains, IP addresses, APIs, deadlines.
  • Written permission from the resource owner. If you rent the system from a hosting or cloud provider, its consent is needed too.
  • A procedure for handling personal data if the test touches it (Law of Kazakhstan No. 94-V “On Personal Data and Their Protection”).
  • A certificate of completed work.

What the price consists of

Usually the price of a pentest is calculated from scope: how many applications, pages, roles and APIs. The client pays up front and does not know whether anything will be found. The alternative is payment for results.

KEMEL.TECH uses a “pay for what is found” model: no prepayment, a fixed rate for each confirmed vulnerability by CVSS level, and duplicates of the same vulnerability are not charged twice.

  • CRITICAL (CVSS 9.0–10.0): 300,000 – 600,000 ₸. For example, remote code execution, SQL injection, authorization bypass.
  • HIGH (CVSS 7.0–8.9): 120,000 – 200,000 ₸. For example, stored XSS, IDOR, JWT errors.
  • MEDIUM (CVSS 4.0–6.9): 50,000 – 100,000 ₸. For example, CSRF, reflected XSS, OAuth and CORS errors.
  • LOW (CVSS 0.1–3.9): 15,000 – 40,000 ₸. For example, security headers, SSL settings.
  • If no vulnerabilities are found, you receive a free “perimeter is clean” report.

Timeline and what is included

A basic check takes from 48 hours to 10 business days, depending on scope. The contractor reports critical findings immediately, without waiting for the report.

  • External perimeter: domains, subdomains, exposed services.
  • Web applications and user account areas (OWASP Top-10).
  • APIs and mobile applications.
  • Business logic: access to other people's data, payment bypass, privilege escalation.
  • Leaked employee passwords in public databases.
  • A free retest after the fixes.

How to choose a contractor

  • Ask about written permission and an NDA before work starts.
  • Find out whether findings are confirmed manually, not only by a scanner.
  • Ask for a sample report: it should contain CVSS, reproduction steps and recommendations.
  • Clarify whether a repeat check is included in the price.
  • Compare payment models: a fixed price for scope or payment for what is found.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a pentest cost in Kazakhstan?
The price depends on scope and payment model. At KEMEL.TECH there is no prepayment: you pay only for confirmed vulnerabilities at the CVSS rate, from 15,000 ₸ for LOW to 600,000 ₸ for CRITICAL. If there are no vulnerabilities, the report is free.
How long does a pentest take?
From 48 hours to 10 business days depending on scope. A Red Team engagement takes 2–4 weeks.
Is permission required for a pentest?
Yes. Written permission from the resource owner is required. Without it, the work is considered unlawful access to information (Article 205 of the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan).