Threat Led Penetration Testing
Transform your security posture with intelligence-driven penetration testing that mirrors real-world attacks. Our threat-led approach delivers precise, actionable insights that align your cybersecurity investments with actual risks, not theoretical vulnerabilities.
Comprehensive Penetration Testing Services
Our complete range of penetration testing services covers all aspects of your digital infrastructure with specialised methodologies for each testing domain
MDR/SOC/XDR Validation Testing
Test the effectiveness of your security operations centre or managed detection and response service with realistic attack simulations
What is Security Solution Validation?
Security Solution Validation Testing evaluates the effectiveness of your Managed Detection and Response (MDR), Security Operations Centre (SOC), or Extended Detection and Response (XDR) services through controlled attack simulations.
Unlike traditional penetration testing which focuses on finding vulnerabilities, validation testing specifically targets your security operations capability by using known attack methods to stress test detection and response systems. We simulate real threat actor behaviour to evaluate whether your SOC can identify, analyse, and respond to threats effectively.
This targeted approach tests the human and technological elements of your security operations, validating alert quality, investigation procedures, escalation processes, and incident response capabilities. We measure detection coverage, response times, and the accuracy of threat classification to ensure your security investment delivers real protection.
The testing methodology focuses on realistic attack scenarios that mirror current threat landscapes, ensuring your security team can handle sophisticated adversaries who use legitimate tools and living-off-the-land techniques to evade traditional security controls.
Detection Testing
Simulate realistic attack techniques to test if your security solution can detect malicious activities across endpoints, network, and cloud environments.
Response Validation
Evaluate the quality and speed of your security team's incident response, including alert triage, investigation, and containment actions.
Time-to-Detection
Measure how quickly threats are detected and escalated, ensuring your security solution meets agreed service level objectives.
Common Validation Scenarios
Credential Theft & Lateral Movement
Simulate credential harvesting and lateral movement across your network
Malware Deployment & Persistence
Test detection of various malware families and persistence techniques
Data Exfiltration
Validate detection of sensitive data being stolen from your environment
Living-off-the-Land Attacks
Use legitimate tools for malicious purposes to test advanced detection
Cloud & Container Attacks
Test cloud-specific attack detection and container security monitoring
Supply Chain Compromises
Simulate third-party compromise and software supply chain attacks
Insider Threat Simulation
Test detection of malicious insider activities and privilege abuse
Advanced Persistent Threats
Multi-stage attack campaigns simulating real APT group tactics
Validate Investment
Ensure your security solution provides the protection you're paying for. This is particularly critical for third-party SOC services where you're trusting external teams with your security monitoring. Validation testing provides independent verification that your SOC provider delivers on their service level agreements and can effectively protect your organisation.
Identify Gaps
Discover blind spots in your detection and response capabilities
Improve Coverage
Work with your security provider to enhance detection rules and processes
Measure Performance
Benchmark response times against industry standards and SLAs
Specialised Regulatory Compliance Testing
Expert penetration testing services for regulated industries with specific compliance requirements across different jurisdictions
DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act)
Comprehensive EU regulation mandating operational resilience requirements for financial entities, including mandatory penetration testing and third-party risk management.
Key Requirements:
Testing Requirements:
Annual penetration testing with threat-led scenarios, comprehensive ICT risk assessment, incident reporting within 4 hours, and stringent third-party ICT service provider oversight with contractual arrangements.
Scope & Coverage:
All EU financial institutions including banks, insurance companies, investment firms, payment institutions, e-money institutions, crypto-asset service providers, and critical ICT third-party service providers.
Penalties:
Up to 1% of annual turnover or €1 million
TIBER-EU (Threat Intelligence-based Ethical Red Team)
ECB-developed framework for controlled, bespoke, intelligence-led cyber attack simulations against live production systems of systemically important financial institutions.
Key Requirements:
Testing Requirements:
Multi-phase testing including threat intelligence gathering, scenario development, red team attack simulation, and blue team response evaluation with real-time monitoring and controlled environment testing.
Scope & Coverage:
Systemically important financial institutions, financial market infrastructures, central banks, and critical service providers supporting EU financial sector operations.
VARA (Virtual Assets Regulation Authority)
Comprehensive regulatory framework for virtual asset service providers operating in Abu Dhabi, requiring robust cybersecurity measures and regular security assessments.
Key Requirements:
Testing Requirements:
Quarterly penetration testing, comprehensive security architecture reviews, mandatory incident response testing, continuous security monitoring, and detailed risk assessments for virtual asset platforms and custody solutions.
Scope & Coverage:
Cryptocurrency exchanges, digital wallet providers, token issuers, virtual asset custodians, and other virtual asset service providers operating in or from the ADGM special economic zone.
DFSA (Dubai Financial Services Authority)
Regulatory framework governing financial institutions in DIFC, mandating comprehensive cybersecurity risk management and regular penetration testing for operational resilience.
Key Requirements:
Testing Requirements:
Annual comprehensive cybersecurity assessments, penetration testing of all critical systems, third-party security assessments, incident response capability testing, and ongoing security monitoring programmes.
Scope & Coverage:
Banks, insurance companies, asset managers, capital market institutions, and all other financial service providers operating within the Dubai International Financial Centre jurisdiction.
Our Penetration Testing Methodology
Structured approach following industry-standard frameworks including OWASP, NIST, PTES, and MITRE ATT&CK
Pre-Engagement & Scoping
Comprehensive project scoping, legal agreements, rules of engagement definition, and testing methodology selection based on specific requirements and compliance needs.
Intelligence Gathering & Reconnaissance
Passive and active information gathering using OSINT techniques, network reconnaissance, and target profiling to understand the attack surface and potential entry points.
Threat Modelling & Attack Planning
Development of attack scenarios based on relevant threat actors, creation of attack trees, and prioritisation of testing activities based on business risk and threat landscape.
Vulnerability Discovery & Analysis
Systematic vulnerability identification using automated tools and manual testing techniques, vulnerability validation, and impact assessment with detailed technical analysis.
Exploitation & Post-Exploitation
Careful exploitation of discovered vulnerabilities to demonstrate real-world impact, privilege escalation testing, persistence mechanisms, and lateral movement assessment.
Reporting & Recommendations
Comprehensive reporting with executive summary, detailed technical findings, risk ratings, remediation guidance, and strategic security recommendations.
Remediation Support & Validation
90-day support period for remediation assistance, re-testing of fixed vulnerabilities, and validation of implemented security controls to ensure effective remediation.
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