Penetration Testing

Using a third party to assess your systems allows them to ‘think like an attacker’ and bring a fresh perspective to your cyber security.
Pen Testing can pinpoint weak points in your defences and highlight areas that can be improved using your existing security technology.
Incorporating regular Penetration Tests into your planning helps you to stay on top of your security posture, preserve your brand, and maintain regulatory compliance to standards and regulations including GDPR, PCI DSS, and ISO 27001.

Vulnerability Assessments are used to identify system and software vulnerabilities and provide a high-level overview of overall security posture. They are an effective way for companies who do not have visibility of their security posture to gain a more complete understanding. For organisations with legacy infrastructure, it is a quick and cost-effective way to identify and focus on software and systems that can be fixed easily.

A Penetration Test not only identifies security issues within the company’s infrastructure, systems, and operations, but also exploits these vulnerabilities and, if necessarily, combines them to achieve a specific objective. 

For example, if the tester’s objective is to gain internal network access, they would find a vulnerability that allows them to upload files, then another one that lets them find those files, and another one that marries these up to execute something malicious.

It’s not the testing process that matters the most – it’s implementing the remediation actions from the reports to proactively improve your security posture.

Our team of experts can help you demystify a Pen Test report and incorporate the fixes.

Get a Free HackRisk Report today with a trial of our HackRisk platform which does a Dark Web, Recon and Vulnerability Scans of your attack surface >

CREST, CHECK & Cyber Scheme Certified

CREST (the Council of Registered Ethical Security Testers) is an international accreditation with a strict Codes of Conduct and Ethics. CHECK is the Government-backed accreditation from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) which certifies that a company can conduct authorised penetration tests of public sector systems and networks.

All our penetration testers are certified by CREST, with senior consultants certified by CREST to the highest CCT Level. Our testers are also either CHECK Team Leaders (CTL’s) or Team Members (CTM’s).

Security testers that pass the Cyber Scheme exams demonstrate ‘competence and skill at the highest levels’ as defined by the National Technical Authority for Cyber Security (NCSC).

Our team have decades of combined experience and take pride in operating at the highest level of the industry – conducting a broad range of government and commercial tests – and always aim to go the extra mile.

• Stay Ahead of Cyber Threats

Proactively identify and fix security vulnerabilities before cyber criminals exploit them. Penetration testing helps you stay one step ahead, protecting your business from costly breaches.

• Strengthen Your Security Posture

A single weak link can bring down an entire system. Pen testing exposes gaps in your defences, giving you actionable insights to fortify your infrastructure and reduce risk.

• Ensure Compliance and Avoid Fines

Meet regulatory standards like GDPR, PCI DSS, and ISO 27001 with regular security testing. Stay compliant, avoid costly fines, and demonstrate your commitment to data protection.

• Protect Your Brand and Reputation

A security breach can destroy customer trust in seconds. Pen testing helps safeguard your data, keeping your brand untarnished and your customers confident in your security.

Yes. Different frameworks have different requirements. 

• ISO 27001 (Information Security Management System)

ISO 27001 is a globally recognised framework for managing information security risks. While penetration testing is not explicitly required, it plays a crucial role in meeting the standard’s risk assessment requirements by identifying weaknesses in systems and strengthening security controls.

• SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2)

SOC 2 is a security and privacy framework for companies handling customer data, ensuring they meet trust principles like security and confidentiality. While penetration testing is not mandatory, it provides valuable evidence of strong security practices, helping businesses demonstrate compliance with SOC 2 standards.

• PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard)

PCI DSS is a mandatory security standard for businesses handling cardholder data, designed to protect against fraud and breaches. Penetration testing is a requirement under PCI DSS, helping organisations identify vulnerabilities in cardholder data environments and ensure security controls are effective.

• DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act)

DORA is an EU regulation focused on strengthening cyber resilience in financial institutions. It mandates security testing, including penetration testing, to assess and enhance an organisation’s ability to withstand cyber threats, ensuring financial systems remain secure and operational.

• HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)

HIPAA is a US law protecting sensitive patient health information (PHI). While it does not explicitly require penetration testing, regular security testing helps healthcare organisations identify and fix vulnerabilities, reducing the risk of breaches and ensuring compliance with HIPAA’s security rules.

• FTC (Federal Trade Commission Regulations)

The FTC enforces consumer protection laws, requiring businesses to implement reasonable security measures to protect customer data. Penetration testing helps companies identify risks, strengthen defences, and demonstrate due diligence in safeguarding sensitive information.