CREST Penetration Testing

What is penetration testing?

Penetration testing, commonly known as pen testing, is a form of ethical hacking aimed at discovering and remedying security vulnerabilities in networks, systems, and applications. This testing encompasses various aspects, but it’s essential to note that not all penetration testing firms adhere to the same standards. Consequently, there is a potential risk when granting access to critical assets and data to a service provider.

A CREST penetration test involves an evaluation conducted by a penetration tester registered with CREST. The CREST certification signifies that a penetration testing company carries out and documents penetration testing in adherence to the highest legal, ethical, and technical standards.

Who is CREST?

CREST, short for the Council for Registered Ethical Security Testers, is a global non-profit accreditation and certification organization that serves and advocates for the technical information security industry. CREST certification is a globally acknowledged accreditation for both organizations and individuals engaged in providing services like penetration testing, cyber incident response, threat intelligence, and Security Operations Centre (SOC) services. Obtaining CREST certification involves a thorough evaluation of a company’s business processes, data security, and security testing methodologies.

What is a CREST-certified company?

A CREST-certified company is obligated to submit its service-related policies, processes, and procedures to CREST for assessment. The attainment and sustenance of CREST certification involve continuous efforts rather than a singular event. Member organizations are mandated to submit an application on an annual basis, with a comprehensive reassessment mandated every three years.

Every CREST member company commits to a legally binding and enforceable company code of conduct, encompassing procedures for addressing potential complaints.

Why choose a CREST-accredited pen testing provider?

“There are many benefits in procuring penetration testing services from a trusted, certified external company who employ professional, ethical and highly technically competent individuals. CREST member companies are certified penetration testing organisations who fully meet these requirements, having been awarded the gold standard in penetration testing, building trusted relationships with their clients.” – CREST

Penetration testing services certified by CREST offer assurance that the entire penetration testing process will adhere to the utmost legal, ethical, and technical standards. The CREST penetration testing process aligns with best practices in essential areas, including scoping, reconnaissance, preparation, execution, technical delivery, reporting, and data protection.

CREST penetration testing benefits

CREST-accredited pen testing offers several advantages, including:

• Highly Skilled Security Experts:
  CREST penetration testing is conducted or overseen by CREST-registered penetration testers who have successfully passed rigorous exams showcasing their expertise. These professionals are required to revalidate their skills every three years and accumulate significant professional experience.
• Enhanced Customer Confidence:
  Organizations often need to demonstrate the security of their sensitive data to customers. Employing a CREST-accredited penetration testing provider allows them to showcase adherence to security best practices, potentially providing a competitive advantage in contract bids.
• Facilitates Regulatory Compliance:
  CREST penetration tests support compliance with information security regulations such as GDPR, ISO 27001, NIS Regulations, and PCI DSS. Penetration testing may be explicitly required by certain regulations or indirectly necessary to assess the effectiveness of technical and organizational controls.
• Global Recognition:
  CREST accreditation is internationally acknowledged, offering assurance for companies with a global footprint or those engaging with overseas clients. Choosing a penetration testing provider with CREST accreditation ensures credibility and broader acceptance.
• Current Expertise:
  Given the ever-evolving threat landscape, both organizational and individual CREST certifications are periodically renewed to keep adversarial knowledge up to date. Member organizations receive regular updates from CREST on the latest developments in technical information assurance through workshops and events.

Why choose TAC Security for CREST penetration testing?

TAC Security’s international recognition enhances its credibility, making it an apt selection for companies with global operations. Additionally, the company actively engages in staying updated on emerging threats, ensuring that its expertise remains current and effective in addressing evolving security challenges.