CREST Penetration Testing Providers
CREST Penetration Testing Methodology · Published by CREST International
The CREST penetration testing methodology is the professional standard defined by the Council of Registered Ethical Security Testers, an international accreditation body for the cybersecurity industry. CREST's methodology underpins both its organisational accreditation programme and its individual certification examinations (CPSA, CRT, CCT), ensuring that CREST-accredited companies and certified testers follow a consistent, high-quality approach to security testing. The CREST methodology covers the full engagement lifecycle from scoping and planning through testing, analysis, and reporting, with specific technical requirements for different testing disciplines including infrastructure, web application, and mobile application testing.
What distinguishes CREST's methodology is its integration with a rigorous accreditation framework — organisations must demonstrate that their testers follow this methodology and that quality management processes ensure consistent delivery. CREST accreditation requires companies to undergo regular assessments of their testing processes, data handling practices, and consultant competencies. This combination of technical methodology and organisational assurance makes CREST the benchmark for penetration testing quality in the UK, and increasingly across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East.
CREST methodology is referenced by UK government frameworks including CHECK and is the foundation for financial sector testing frameworks including CBEST. Providers following CREST methodology deliver testing that meets the highest professional standards for scope, depth, and reporting quality.
Key Features
- —Integrated accreditation framework
- —Individual tester certification (CPSA/CRT/CCT)
- —Organisational quality assurance
- —Regular compliance assessments
- —Foundation for CHECK and CBEST
Best For
- —UK and European testing
- —Government-grade assessments
- —Financial services testing
- —Regulatory compliance
- —Quality-assured testing
Providers using CREST (37)
Aardwolf Security
Boutique UK penetration testing consultancy in Milton Keynes specialising in manual, expert-led security assessments across web applications, APIs, cloud, and mobile platforms.
Aristi
CHECK and CREST-accredited Birmingham-based cyber security consultancy with over 15 years of experience delivering penetration testing, red teaming, and OT security assessments for government and private sector clients.
Blaze Information Security
CREST-accredited boutique pen testing firm with offices across Europe and Brazil, serving 200+ organisations in 25 countries.
Bridewell
Fast-growing CREST and CHECK-accredited UK cybersecurity consultancy with deep expertise in critical national infrastructure sectors.
Bulletproof
CREST-accredited UK cybersecurity and compliance provider offering penetration testing, managed security services, and regulatory consultancy to over 2,000 customers from its Stevenage headquarters.
Claranet
CREST and CHECK-accredited European managed services provider delivering penetration testing with deep infrastructure and cloud hosting expertise.
CovertSwarm
Subscription-based offensive cybersecurity firm delivering continuous cyber attack services with CREST STAR and CBEST accreditations from its London headquarters.
Cyberis
CREST and CHECK-accredited UK penetration testing consultancy with CBEST approval, specialising in infrastructure, application, and simulated attack assessments across the public and private sectors.
CyberLab
Cardiff-based CREST and CHECK-accredited cyber security company delivering penetration testing, red teaming, and OT security assessments as part of the Chess Group.
Cyphere
CREST-accredited Manchester-based cyber security firm delivering penetration testing, managed security services, and compliance consultancy across the UK, Europe, and the USA.
Dionach
Global enterprise cybersecurity consultancy founded in 1999 in Oxford, holding rare CREST STAR-FS accreditation and delivering penetration testing, red and purple teaming, and PCI QSA services across five international offices.
Equilibrium Security
CREST-accredited Birmingham-based cyber security consultancy delivering penetration testing, social engineering assessments, and Cyber Essentials certification for public and private sector clients.
Evalian
CREST-accredited UK cyber security and data protection consultancy offering penetration testing, ISO consultancy, and managed SOC services from offices across the UK and Ireland.
Integrity360
CREST-accredited pan-European cybersecurity services provider delivering penetration testing and managed security from Dublin with a strong UK and Ireland presence.
IT Governance
Established Ely-based compliance and cybersecurity consultancy offering CREST-approved penetration testing as part of a comprehensive governance, risk management, and compliance portfolio.
JUMPSEC
Full-service London-based cybersecurity consultancy with CREST, CHECK, and NCSC accreditations delivering offensive testing, managed detection, and strategic advisory services.
LRQA
The only organisation worldwide with a full suite of CREST accreditations. 250+ cybersecurity specialists operating in 55+ countries across pen testing, red teaming, and incident response.
MDSec
Elite UK offensive security consultancy specialising in CBEST/STAR/TIBER red teaming, advanced adversary simulation, and CREST-accredited penetration testing for FTSE 100 clients.
NCC Group
Global cybersecurity consultancy with CREST, CHECK, and CBEST accreditation, renowned for deep technical research and comprehensive penetration testing services.
Nettitude
CREST, CHECK, and CBEST accredited UK consultancy within Lloyd's Register, delivering premium penetration testing for government and critical infrastructure.
OnSecurity
CREST-accredited, platform-driven penetration testing vendor in Bristol offering AI-augmented testing with rapid self-service booking for over 400 global customers.
Packetlabs
Canada's most reviewed cybersecurity company. CREST-certified, SOC 2 Type II-attested pen testing from Toronto.
Pen Test Partners
The UK's largest independent security testing firm, renowned for IoT/OT research, CBEST red teaming, and CHECK/CREST-accredited penetration testing across all sectors.
Pentest People
CREST and CHECK-accredited UK penetration testing firm with an innovative SecurePortal platform and transparent pricing for mid-market organizations.
PwC Cyber Security
Global Big Four professional services firm delivering CREST, CHECK, and CBEST-accredited penetration testing and red teaming services from London, serving the UK's largest enterprises and regulated organisations.
Redscan (A Kroll Business)
London-based cybersecurity provider, now part of Kroll, delivering CREST-accredited penetration testing, managed detection and response, and incident response with a 550-strong cyber team.
RedSecLabs
CREST-certified and PCI QSA penetration testing consultancy in London, delivering offensive security and compliance services across 25+ countries with research-driven expertise.
Salus Cyber
Award-winning Cheltenham-based cybersecurity consultancy with NCSC CHECK Green Light status and CREST approval, specialising in defence, government, and critical national infrastructure security.
Secarma
Manchester-based independent cybersecurity consultancy with over 20 years of experience delivering CREST and CHECK-accredited penetration testing, red teaming, and compliance certification services.
SECFORCE
Leading UK offensive security consultancy based in Canary Wharf, delivering CREST-accredited penetration testing and adversary simulation to organisations with the most demanding security requirements.
Sencode
CREST-accredited North East England penetration testing specialist founded in 2019, offering accessible and transparent security testing with free retests and a strong focus on social engineering.
SensePost (Orange Cyberdefense)
Elite ethical hacking team within Orange Cyberdefense with 20+ year track record. Known for building industry-standard security tools and groundbreaking research.
SpecterOps
Adversary-focused security firm created by former DoD red team operators. Creators of BloodHound. CREST-accredited for penetration testing, red teaming, and purple team assessments.
Stripe OLT
Award-winning CREST-certified managed cyber security and IT support provider with offices in Bristol, London, and Manchester, specialising in penetration testing and Microsoft security technologies.
Tevora
CREST-accredited California consultancy blending compliance expertise with penetration testing. First to earn ISO 17020 for MITRE ATT&CK and PTES frameworks.
TrustedSec
Elite offensive security firm founded by a former NSA operator, delivering CREST-accredited penetration testing, red teaming, and adversary simulation to Fortune 500 and government clients.
WithSecure
Leading European cybersecurity firm offering penetration testing with deep expertise in EU regulatory compliance including GDPR, NIS 2, and TIBER-EU.
CREST FAQs
What is the difference between CREST accreditation and certification?+
CREST accreditation applies to organisations — it certifies that the company follows CREST methodology and quality standards. CREST certification applies to individuals (CPSA, CRT, CCT) and validates their technical testing skills through practical examinations.
Is CREST accreditation recognised globally?+
Yes. CREST originated in the UK but now operates internationally with member organisations across Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Americas, and the Middle East. CREST accreditation is increasingly recognised as the global benchmark for pen testing quality.
How does CREST relate to CHECK?+
CHECK is a UK government scheme managed by the NCSC that authorises companies to test government systems. CHECK-approved companies must hold CREST accreditation as a prerequisite, making CREST the foundation for government-level security testing in the UK.