Security Assessment Report Template: What to Include

Report Structure Overview

A professional security assessment report typically follows this structure. This applies to pentests, vulnerability assessments, compliance audits, and red team reports:

Cover Page

The cover page is the first thing the client sees. A professional, well-branded cover page sets the tone for the entire report and signals that the engagement was conducted by a credible consultancy. Clients often share reports with their board, auditors, and third-party partners, so the cover page becomes your calling card.

Your cover page should include:

• Report title (e.g., "External Security Assessment Report" or "Compliance Audit Report")
• Client company name and logo (if provided)
• Your consultancy name and logo
• Engagement dates (start and end)
• Report date and version number
• Classification level (e.g., "Confidential")
• Author name and contact details

Version numbers are particularly important if you issue an updated report after the client has remediated findings and you have performed retesting. Use a clear versioning scheme such as v1.0 for the initial report and v1.1 or v2.0 for updates after retesting.

Executive Summary

Keep this to 1 to 2 pages. Write for board members and executives who will not read the technical details.

The executive summary is the section that justifies the engagement to the people who approved the budget. Frame the overall risk posture in business terms: "An attacker could access the customer database containing 50,000 records" is far more impactful than "SQL injection vulnerability identified in the login form." If you found no critical issues, say so clearly and highlight the client's security strengths. Positive reinforcement builds trust and encourages repeat engagements.

Scope and Methodology

Document the boundaries and approach. The specifics vary by assessment type:

Also state the methodology (OWASP, PTES, OSSTMM for pentests; ISO 27001, NIST for compliance; TIBER-EU for red teams), the assessment approach (black/grey/white box), and any credentials or documentation provided.

Severity Breakdown Table

Before diving into individual findings, include a severity breakdown table that gives readers a quick snapshot of the overall results. This is the section that executives scan first after the executive summary.

The table should show the count of findings at each severity level: Critical, High, Medium, Low, and Informational. Some consultancies also include a comparison column showing findings from the previous engagement if the client has one, which makes it easy to demonstrate improvement over time. Complement the table with a brief paragraph summarising the distribution, for example: "The majority of findings (12 of 18) were rated Medium or below, indicating a generally strong security posture with targeted areas for improvement."

If you are using CVSS 3.1 scoring, include both the numerical score and the severity label so readers can cross-reference with the detailed findings section. Consistent scoring throughout the report builds credibility and makes the document easier to navigate.

Finding Template

Each finding should follow a consistent format. Consistency matters because it allows readers to quickly locate the information they need across all findings. Here is an example:

Evidence and Screenshots

Every finding should include evidence that proves the vulnerability exists and is exploitable. Evidence transforms a finding from an opinion into a verifiable fact. Without it, clients may dispute severity ratings or deprioritise fixes.

• Screenshots. Annotate screenshots with arrows, highlights, and numbered callouts that draw attention to the relevant parts. A full-page screenshot without context is nearly useless.
• HTTP request and response pairs. For web application findings, include the exact request that triggers the vulnerability and the server response that confirms it. Redact session tokens and any client data not relevant to the finding.
• Code snippets. When you identify insecure code during white-box assessments, include the relevant snippet with the vulnerable line highlighted. Always include the file path and line number.
• Tool output. If scanner results support a manually verified finding, include a sanitised excerpt rather than raw output. Only include tool evidence that adds value beyond what your description already covers.

Good evidence also protects your consultancy. If a client later claims a finding was invalid, your documented proof is the definitive reference. It also helps the development team reproduce and fix the issue without needing to contact you.

Remediation Roadmap

Group findings into phases based on severity and effort:

Appendices

The appendices section contains supporting material that adds context without cluttering the main body of the report. Typical appendix items include:

• Complete list of tools and versions used during the assessment
• Detailed testing timeline (date, time, activity performed)
• Network diagrams or architecture overviews provided by the client
• Full scan results as supplementary data (clearly labelled as automated output)
• Glossary of terms for non-technical readers
• References to industry standards (OWASP, NIST, CIS benchmarks) cited in findings

Keep appendices well-organised with clear headings. Some readers, particularly compliance auditors, will review the appendices in detail to verify methodology and tool coverage. For a deeper guide on structuring the entire report writing process, see our article on how to write a security assessment report.

Formatting and Delivery Tips

Professional formatting elevates report quality and readability. Small details signal professionalism to clients.

• Use consistent typography. Choose one font family and stick with it. Use bold for finding titles and severity labels, regular weight for body text, and monospace for code and CVSS vectors.
• Add page numbers and headers. Every page after the cover should include a running header with the report title and page numbers. This is essential when reports are printed or paginated in PDF viewers.
• Use colour purposefully. Reserve red for Critical, orange for High, yellow for Medium, blue for Low, and grey for Informational. Consistent colour coding throughout the report makes it easier to scan.
• Deliver securely. Avoid emailing sensitive reports as unencrypted attachments. Use a client portal with proper access controls, or at minimum encrypt the PDF with a password shared through a separate channel.

What Not to Include

• Raw scanner output. Never paste Nessus, Burp, or compliance scanner output directly into a report. Interpret and contextualise the findings.
• Padding. Do not add filler content to make the report longer. Quality over quantity.
• Client credentials or secrets. Redact any passwords, API keys, or tokens that were discovered during the assessment.
• Unverified findings. Only include findings you have confirmed. False positives damage credibility, regardless of the assessment type.

AI-powered tools can help generate consistent finding descriptions, executive summaries, and remediation guidance while you focus on the testing itself. Learn more in our guide on how AI report generation is saving security teams hours per engagement.