CREST Penetration Testing Providers

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.