Digital Process Automation Blog

Top 10 Cloud Penetration Testing Tools in 2026

Written by Paul Stone, Product Evangelist | 1/19/26 2:20 PM

For IT security teams, manually reviewing and interpreting cloud penetration testing reports can be overwhelming, especially as cloud environments grow more complex.

Security teams often struggle to classify findings efficiently, prioritize risks, and ensure compliance, all while managing pen test results across multiple cloud providers. This leads to delays, inconsistent evaluations, and increased exposure to security vulnerabilities.

In this guide, we compare the top cloud penetration testing tools for 2026 and explore how FlowAssure stands out as a leading solution for more efficient risk management and vendor assessments.

 

Key Takeaways

  • Cloud penetration testing helps identify security vulnerabilities and misconfigurations within cloud environments to prevent potential cyberattacks.
  • SentinelOne, Astra Pentest, and Intruder support continuous monitoring and real-time vulnerability detection in cloud platforms.
  • BurpSuite, CloudBrute, and Nessus are reliable choices for scanning cloud applications and performing in-depth security assessments of cloud resources.
  • FlowAssure is the leading choice for organizations needing a comprehensive governance solution, automating pen test reviews, compliance workflows, and vendor risk management with AI-powered insights.

10 Top Cloud Penetration Testing Tools in 2026 

If you're looking for comprehensive cloud security assessments, SentinelOne, Astra Pentest, and Nessus are good choices for proactive monitoring and real-time vulnerability detection.

If your focus is on automated vulnerability scanning and attack surface monitoring, Intruder, BurpSuite, and CloudBrute are worth considering. 

FlowAssure is a leading choice for those who need a fully automated solution for pen test result analysis, vendor risk management, and compliance workflows. 

Tool Name

Primary Use Case

Cloud Coverage

Key Strength

FlowAssure

Automates pen test review and vendor risk management

Microsoft 365 (AWS, GCP, Azure)

AI-driven analysis and automated governance

SentinelOne

Cloud workload protection and threat detection

AWS, Google Cloud, Azure

AI-powered threat detection and incident response

Astra Pentest

Continuous penetration testing for cloud environments

AWS, Google Cloud, Azure

Real-time vulnerability scanning and remediation

Intruder

Attack surface monitoring and vulnerability scanning

AWS, GCP, Azure

Automated scanning with real-time vulnerability alerts

SecurityScorecard

Vendor risk management and security scoring

Multi-cloud

Continuous risk monitoring and security posture assessments

CloudBrute

Cloud reconnaissance and asset discovery

AWS, GCP, Azure

Lightweight, open-source tool for initial reconnaissance

SkyArk

IAM testing and privilege escalation analysis

AWS

Focuses on identity management and privilege escalation

BurpSuite

Web app security testing and vulnerability scanning

AWS, GCP, Azure

Comprehensive web security testing for cloud apps

Scout

Cloud security posture assessment

AWS, Azure, GCP

Best for misconfiguration detection across cloud platforms

Nessus

Vulnerability scanning for cloud resources

AWS, GCP, Azure

Deep scanning for cloud vulnerabilities and network security

Table showing a side-by-side comparison of the top 10 tools

10 Best Cloud Penetration Testing Tools in 2026 

Now, let us explore each tool and its key features in detail: 

1. FlowAssure

 FlowAssure Page

FlowAssure is a vendor risk management tool that brings structure and compliance-ready controls to cloud penetration testing. 

With its AI Pen Test Agent, FlowAssure reads, scores, and classifies penetration test findings, automating the decision-making process based on severity and business impact. This enhances your cloud security workflow by streamlining the review and analysis of third-party pen test results.

Built for compliance-heavy organizations, FlowAssure helps teams stay aligned with standards such as ISO 27001, GDPR, and NHS DSPT, eliminating the need for multiple security tools. 

FlowAssure’s Key Features

 FlowAssure Product Showcase

FlowAssure automates how cloud penetration testing results are handled, transforming pen test reports into structured insights that can be acted on directly. Key features include: 

1. Automated pen-test interpretation for vendors

FlowAssure’s AI agent, Penn, simplifies the management of cloud pen testing results. Instead of relying on manual reviews or inconsistent evaluations, Penn automatically reads and interprets penetration testing reports from cloud vendors, turning raw data into actionable insights.

 Pen test findings overview

Penn identifies vulnerabilities and security weaknesses within penetration test reports, ensuring that risks are addressed quickly and accurately. It does this by:

  • Extracting vulnerabilities, CVSS scores, impacted assets, and exploit paths, providing detailed insights into potential security issues.
  • Identifying high-risk and recurring problems, helping teams prioritize critical vulnerabilities that could impact business operations.
  • Scoring findings based on severity and business context, allowing for tailored responses to the most pressing risks.
  • Recommending remediation actions, giving teams guidance on resolving issues and improving security.
  • Triggering risk workflows or escalations, ensuring that the appropriate person at the right time addresses every finding.
2. Multi-agent support for holistic risk assessment

 FlowAssure Agents

Quinn, Iris, and Sam review various types of security documentation, from security questionnaires to SOC 2 Type II reports, ensuring thorough analysis of vendor security.

3. Built-in compliance workflows

FlowAssure incorporates built-in governance frameworks that align with industry regulations like ISO 27001, GDPR, and PCI DSS, ensuring all cloud pen testing results are handled in a compliant manner.

 FlowAssure’s compliance module

4. End-to-end audit trails

Every step in the pen test result review is recorded, providing complete transparency for compliance purposes.

5. Microsoft tenancy for secure data storage

FlowAssure operates within Microsoft 365, meaning all vendor assessments and findings are stored in your organization’s secure, controlled environment.

FlowAssure’s Pros

  • Dedicated AI Pen Test Agent for reviewing and scoring penetration tests
  • Cross-cloud support for AWS, Azure, and GCP
  • Governance-first approach for cloud service providers
  • Audit-ready with complete transparency and traceability
  • Ideal for regulated industries such as healthcare and financial services

FlowAssure’s Cons

  • Works best with organizations that operate within the Microsoft ecosystem

2. SentinelOne

 SentinelOne Homepage

SentinelOne focuses on cloud workload protection and threat detection. It uses AI-driven behavioural analysis to detect and respond to suspicious activity, making it ideal for organizations that need to monitor their cloud environments for evolving threats continuously. 

Although not a traditional penetration testing tool, SentinelOne plays a key role in protecting your infrastructure against credential theft and cloud-based malware.

SentinelOne’s Key Features

  • AI-powered threat detection for cloud workloads
  • Automated remediation of security issues in real-time
  • Continuous monitoring of cloud resources for anomalies
  • Multi-cloud support (AWS, GCP, Azure)
  • Automated incident response to contain threats

SentinelOne’s Pros

  • Supports behavioural threat detection
  • Real-time tracking with minimal manual oversight
  • Minimal configuration required for deployment
  • Protects cloud-native environments

SentinelOne’s Cons

  • Lacks automated analysis of pen test reports

3. Astra Pentest

 Astra Pentest Homepage

Astra Pentest is a cloud-focused penetration testing tool designed for real-time vulnerability scanning across AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure. It helps security professionals identify misconfigurations and address potential security gaps before attackers can exploit them.

Astra Pentest’s Key Features

  • Real-time vulnerability scanning for cloud services
  • Cloud misconfiguration detection
  • Automated compliance assessments for ISO 27001 and SOC 2
  • Security posture analysis

Astra Pentest’s Pros

  • Easy-to-use interface with quick setup
  • Effective for real-time vulnerability discovery
  • Provides automated compliance mapping
  • Strong integration with cloud security platforms
  • Quick remediation steps and reporting

Astra Pentest’s Cons

  • Requires manual intervention for deep vulnerabilities
  • No pen test evidence automation

4. Intruder

 Intruder’s Homepage

Intruder is an attack surface monitoring tool that scans for security vulnerabilities and misconfigurations in your cloud infrastructure. It provides automated vulnerability scanning to detect potential weaknesses before attackers can exploit them, offering real-time vulnerability alerts to security teams.

Intruder’s Key Features

  • Automated vulnerability scanning across cloud assets
  • Cloud misconfiguration review
  • Real-time security alerts for vulnerabilities
  • Cross-cloud support for AWS, GCP, and Azure
  • Customisable scanning schedules

Intruder’s Pros

  • Real-time vulnerability scanning
  • Quick deployment with minimal configuration
  • Effective for cloud-based pen testing
  • Low maintenance for ongoing vulnerability monitoring

Intruder’s Cons

  • Not ideal for in-depth penetration testing
  • Lacks vendor test result analysis capabilities

5. SecurityScorecard

SecurityScorecard Homepage

SecurityScorecard offers an external security risk scoring platform that evaluates the security posture of cloud service providers and third-party vendors. It gives organizations a continuous overview of their vendors' security status, enabling better-informed decisions.

SecurityScorecard’s Key Features

  • External vendor security ratings
  • Continuous monitoring of cloud service providers
  • Cloud vulnerability scanning
  • Third-party risk management

SecurityScorecard’s Pros

  • Useful for third-party vendor assessments
  • Easy integration with cloud security platforms
  • Real-time vendor posture tracking
  • Clear, actionable insights into security risks

SecurityScorecard’s Cons

  • Does not provide penetration testing capabilities
  • Limited analysis for cloud-native vulnerabilities

6. CloudBrute

 CloudBrute helps discover vulnerabilities during penetration tests

CloudBrute is an open-source reconnaissance tool used for cloud asset discovery and misconfiguration detection. It’s effective in identifying exposed resources early in the penetration testing process, helping security teams spot vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

CloudBrute’s Key Features

  • Cloud asset enumeration
  • Service account discovery
  • Bucket brute-forcing for exposed cloud storage
  • Command-line interface for flexibility
  • Multi-cloud compatibility

CloudBrute’s Pros

  • Lightweight and easy to use
  • Quick cloud asset discovery
  • Ideal for penetration testing and reconnaissance
  • Supports multi-cloud environments

CloudBrute’s Cons

  • Lacks vulnerability classification
  • Requires manual follow-up for identifying service account weaknesses

7. SkyArk

 CyberArk’s Homepage

SkyArk is a product of CyberArk that focuses on identity and access management (IAM) testing within AWS environments. It identifies privilege-escalation paths and weak access-management configurations that could lead to serious cloud security breaches.

SkyArk’s Key Features

  • IAM misconfiguration detection
  • Privilege escalation path analysis
  • Access rights management
  • Cloud vulnerability scanning
  • Real-time security alerts

SkyArk’s Pros

  • Ideal for IAM testing in AWS environments
  • Quick to deploy and simple to use
  • Supports multi-cloud environments
  • Real-time alerts for emerging risks

SkyArk’s Cons

  • Limited to AWS environments
  • Does not cover penetration testing execution standards

8. Burp Suite

 PortSwigger’s Burp Suite page

PortSwigger’s Burp Suite is a web application security testing tool that focuses on cloud apps and containerized workloads. It supports both manual and automated security testing for web-based vulnerabilities in cloud environments.

Burp Suite’s Key Features

  • Automated vulnerability scanning for web apps
  • Intruder tool for payload testing
  • Network security testing
  • Extensive plugin ecosystem
  • Cloud app security testing

Burp Suite’s Pros

  • Highly extensible with plugins
  • Ideal for testing cloud applications
  • Supports manual penetration testing
  • Effective for containerized workloads

Burp Suite’s Cons

  • Requires expertise for advanced testing
  • Not designed for vendor penetration test reviews

9. Scout

 ScoutSuite’s Logo as it appears on GitHub

ScoutSuite is an open-source tool for evaluating cloud security posture. It supports multiple cloud platforms and provides security professionals with insights into potential misconfigurations and cloud vulnerabilities.

Scout’s Key Features

  • Cloud misconfiguration reviews
  • Multi-cloud support for AWS, Azure, GCP
  • Security group reviews
  • Automated security checks
  • Best-practice violation detection

Scout’s Pros

  • Simple setup and fast deployment
  • Supports cloud configuration reviews
  • Ideal for compliance checks

Scout’s Cons

  • Lacks comprehensive penetration testing tools
  • No pen test result analysis

10. Nessus

 Nessus’ Homepage

Nessus is a vulnerability scanning tool designed to help organizations identify weaknesses in their cloud infrastructure. It is ideal for IT operations teams who require consistent vulnerability detection and patch verification across extensive infrastructures and internal network segments.

Nessus’ Key Features

  • Comprehensive vulnerability scanning
  • Cloud asset discovery
  • Cloud configuration review
  • Compliance auditing
  • Plugin-based architecture

Nessus’ Pros

  • Effective for vulnerability scanning in cloud platforms
  • Good for network security testing
  • Supports AWS environments
  • Reliable for cloud configuration audits

Nessus’ Cons

  • Requires manual analysis for deeper findings
  • Often needs to be paired with tools like Burp Suite or other open source tools for deeper web testing

Why FlowAssure Is the Best Cloud Penetration Testing Tool for Governance and Compliance

 Why enterprises choose FlowAssure

While tools like SentinelOne, Astra Pentest, and Intruder excel at identifying cloud vulnerabilities and performing penetration testing, they often focus on vulnerability detection without providing a full, integrated solution. 

FlowAssure goes beyond detection — it automates the entire pen test review process, from remediation tracking to approval routing and audit documentation, ensuring comprehensive cloud security governance.

Here’s what makes FlowAssure the leading choice for organizations:

  • AI-driven Pen Test Agent (Penn) reads, scores, and recommends actions for penetration test reports, automating the decision-making process.
  • Built-in compliance workflows designed to meet standards like ISO 27001, GDPR, and NHS DSPT, simplifying cloud pen testing governance.
  • Microsoft 365 integration keeps data secure within your existing environment, offering full control over testing results.

For mid-sized to enterprise-level businesses that must demonstrate ongoing regulatory compliance, FlowAssure offers a governed, auditable process that connects technical security tests with organizational accountability.

Book a personalized demo today to see how FlowAssure can transform your cloud penetration testing process, ensuring compliance and audit readiness.

FAQs

1. What is cloud penetration testing?

Cloud penetration testing simulates cyberattacks on cloud platforms to identify vulnerabilities and misconfigurations that could be exploited by attackers.

2. What is the importance of cloud pen testing tools?

Cloud penetration testing tools are essential for identifying vulnerabilities and misconfigurations in cloud environments, helping prevent potential cyberattacks. 

They assess the security of cloud resources, applications, and infrastructure, ensuring vulnerabilities are addressed before malicious actors can exploit them. These tools are critical for maintaining robust cloud security.

3. How does FlowAssure automate penetration test reviews?

FlowAssure’s AI Pen Test Agent (Penn) reads, scores, and classifies pen test findings automatically, reducing the need for manual interpretation and speeding up decision-making.

4. How does FlowAssure help with compliance?

FlowAssure automates cloud security assessments while aligning them with ISO 27001, GDPR, PCI DSS, and other security frameworks, ensuring compliance throughout your vendor risk management process.