I'm curious if anyone has experience working with CDW for penetration testing services. I recently received some information from my representative there, and I didn't realize they offered these specific services. We switch our vendors every year, so I'm looking for some feedback on whether or not they're worth considering.
5 Answers
We've actually used CDW for pen testing multiple times and had decent results. They use in-house engineers rather than outsourcing, which I’ve found refreshing. They cater to our needs, and the reports break down vulnerabilities well. Plus, the engineers are pretty easy to work with, which makes the experience enjoyable.
CDW is huge, but a lot of their revenue comes from... selling products rather than specialized services. Their service section seems pretty small, and they may not have the right depth for security expertise. I’ve had good experiences with smaller firms that focus on security, as they understand the market better than a giant reseller.
Honestly, I wouldn’t go with CDW for pen testing. They’re likely to outsource the work to the cheapest option, which can lead to poor results. I've had better luck with companies that handle these tests internally. If you want, I can share some names of firms I trust that focus on this.
Totally agree! I stick with local firms that have teams I can meet with and trust. It's all about building that rapport.
CDW is all about making money. They’ll pretty much sell anything if you’re willing to pay for it. But that doesn’t mean you’ll get quality services from them.
Yeah, my experience with them was just a basic port scan. If your objective is deeper penetration testing, you might want to look elsewhere.
Exactly! If it’s just a port scan you're after, you can hire almost anyone, or even use automated tools.

Thanks for the heads-up! I appreciate the insight.