Why Governments Are Making VAPT a Cybersecurity Requirement in 2025

In an era where cyber threats are becoming more complex, frequent, and damaging, governments around the world are increasingly emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity preparedness. One of the most effective strategies for evaluating and strengthening an organization’s security posture is VAPT—Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing. While traditionally employed by private enterprises, VAPT is now gaining substantial traction in the public sector as governments begin to recognize its crucial role in safeguarding sensitive information and critical infrastructure. From policy mandates to regulatory frameworks and sector-specific compliance requirements, there is a marked increase in governmental efforts to require or recommend VAPT across various industries.

Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing are distinct yet complementary processes aimed at identifying and addressing security flaws in IT systems. A vulnerability assessment focuses on discovering and cataloging known weaknesses, such as outdated software or misconfigured firewalls. In contrast, penetration testing simulates real-world cyberattacks to uncover how these vulnerabilities could be exploited by malicious actors. Together, VAPT offers a thorough understanding of an organization’s exposure to risk and provides actionable insights to enhance its defense mechanisms.

Governments are increasingly mandating VAPT as a proactive approach to cybersecurity compliance. In many countries, critical infrastructure sectors—such as healthcare, energy, finance, and transportation—are required by law to conduct regular security assessments, including VAPT. For instance, the United States’ Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) necessitates that cloud service providers undergo stringent vulnerability assessments and penetration testing before they can handle government data. Similarly, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) mandates VAPT assessments for government websites and applications to ensure the integrity and security of public-facing digital assets.

In the European Union, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) doesn’t explicitly mandate VAPT but strongly implies the necessity of regular security assessments to protect personal data. Organizations are expected to implement appropriate technical and organizational measures, including testing and evaluating the effectiveness of those measures on a regular basis. As a result, VAPT has become a best practice for compliance, with regulators expecting companies to demonstrate due diligence in identifying and mitigating cybersecurity risks.

Beyond mandatory requirements, governments are also issuing detailed guidelines and recommendations encouraging the adoption of VAPT practices. For example, Singapore’s Cybersecurity Agency (CSA) provides a comprehensive framework for vulnerability assessments and penetration testing as part of its national cybersecurity strategy. These guidelines aim to build a baseline of cyber hygiene across all sectors, encouraging both public and private entities to adopt a security-first approach.

Government procurement processes are also evolving to prioritize cybersecurity. Requests for proposals (RFPs) and tenders increasingly include stipulations requiring bidders to demonstrate a clean bill of health from recent VAPT exercises. This shift not only incentivizes vendors to maintain strong cybersecurity practices but also indirectly promotes a culture of security that extends beyond the government to its partners and contractors. By embedding VAPT into procurement cycles, governments are driving systemic change across the supply chain.

Moreover, international cooperation and multilateral organizations are pushing for standardized cybersecurity practices that include VAPT. For example, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have both emphasized the importance of regular security testing in their policy recommendations. These efforts aim to create a unified approach to cybersecurity across borders, recognizing that digital threats are not constrained by geographic boundaries.

In sectors like defense and national security, the role of VAPT is even more pronounced. Military and intelligence agencies often face advanced persistent threats (APTs) from nation-state actors, making it imperative to test systems under simulated attack conditions. Governments are investing in red team exercises—advanced forms of penetration testing conducted by specialized teams—to assess the resilience of their most critical digital infrastructure. These exercises mimic sophisticated attack techniques and offer a deeper insight into potential vulnerabilities that standard assessments might overlook.

Despite these advancements, challenges remain. The availability of qualified cybersecurity professionals, the cost of comprehensive testing, and the fast-evolving nature of threats can make it difficult for smaller organizations and agencies to keep pace. However, governments are addressing these barriers by offering subsidies, creating public-private partnerships, and building centralized cybersecurity centers that provide testing services to other departments and entities.

In conclusion, the growing emphasis on VAPT by governments around the world reflects a broader shift toward proactive cybersecurity governance. As digital transformation accelerates across public and private sectors, the need to identify and fix vulnerabilities before they are exploited has never been greater. By integrating VAPT into legal frameworks, compliance mandates, procurement processes, and national cybersecurity strategies, governments are not only protecting their own assets but also setting a precedent for the broader ecosystem. The trend is clear: in the fight against cyber threats, VAPT is becoming not just recommended, but required.