NIST Cybersecurity Framework · North America
The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is a voluntary framework for managing and reducing cybersecurity risk, widely adopted across industries in the US and internationally. NIST CSF 2.0, released in February 2024, organises cybersecurity activities into six functions: Govern, Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover.
Penetration testing directly supports several NIST CSF categories, particularly ID.RA (Risk Assessment), PR.IP (Information Protection Processes), and DE.CM (Security Continuous Monitoring). The framework's emphasis on risk-based approaches makes penetration testing a natural fit, as it provides real-world evidence of vulnerabilities and their potential impact.
NIST CSF is used as a reference framework by many regulatory bodies and is often required for government contractors through references in NIST SP 800-53 and related publications. Regular penetration testing helps organisations assess their current cybersecurity posture against the framework's tiers, identify gaps in their implementation, and demonstrate continuous improvement in their cybersecurity programme.
UK offensive security consultancy delivering CREST-accredited penetration testing, adversary simulation and CBEST, TIBER-EU and TBEST threat-led testing, mainly for financial services and other large organisations.
Penetration testing firm trusted by nine of the top ten US banks, with the Resolve platform for continuous attack surface management.
US penetration testing firm founded in 2011, running 600+ engagements a year with a fully remote, US-based team. Manual, expert-led testing across web, network, cloud, mobile, wireless, OT/ICS, and AI/LLM. Gartner Sample Vendor for PTaaS.
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.
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.
CREST and CHECK-accredited UK penetration testing and managed security provider formed in 2026 from Pentest People, Bulletproof, and Target Defense, with CREST STAR/TLPT-FS capability and the GuardNest vulnerability management platform.
Elite UK offensive security consultancy specialising in CBEST/STAR/TIBER red teaming, advanced adversary simulation, and CREST-accredited penetration testing for FTSE 100 clients.
Full-service London-based cybersecurity consultancy with CREST, CHECK, and NCSC accreditations delivering offensive testing, managed detection, and strategic advisory services.
Global managed security provider with the elite SpiderLabs penetration testing team and deep PCI DSS compliance expertise.
Manchester-based independent cybersecurity consultancy with over 20 years of experience delivering CREST and CHECK-accredited penetration testing, red teaming, and compliance certification services.
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.
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.
NIST CSF is voluntary for most organisations but is effectively required for US federal contractors and is referenced by many industry regulations. It has been widely adopted globally as a cybersecurity best practice framework.
Pen testing supports Risk Assessment (ID.RA), Information Protection (PR.IP), and Continuous Monitoring (DE.CM). Results help organisations assess their maturity across the framework's implementation tiers.
NIST CSF 2.0 adds a sixth function (Govern), expands supply chain risk management, provides more detailed implementation guidance, and broadens applicability beyond critical infrastructure to all organisations.