10 Best Penetration Testing Companies & Service Providers in UK (Rankings Compared)

The UK has indeed been facing a growing number of cyber attacks in recent years. Here are a few regional reports and statistics that highlight the issue:

1. According to the UK government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2021, almost 4 in 10 UK businesses (39%) reported having experienced a cyber attack or data breach in the past 12 months. This is up from 32% in the previous year’s survey.
2. A report by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in 2020 found that cyber criminals were exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to carry out phishing attacks and other forms of cyber crime. The report highlighted a surge in attacks on healthcare organizations and other essential services.
3. A study by insurance company Hiscox in 2021 found that the average cost of a cyber attack for UK businesses was £243,000, up from £176,000 in 2019. The report also noted that larger businesses tended to face higher costs, with the average cost of a cyber attack for a large business in the UK being over £1 million.
4. In 2021, the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) warned of an increase in ransomware attacks, where cyber criminals encrypt a victim’s files and demand payment to release them. The NCSC noted that ransomware attacks were becoming more sophisticated, and that businesses needed to take steps to protect themselves.

Pen testing companies can play an important role in helping UK businesses protect against cyber threats and maintain the security of their systems and data. By identifying vulnerabilities and providing recommendations for remediation, these companies can help businesses reduce their risk of a successful attack and demonstrate due diligence in protecting their assets.

10 Top Penetration testing companies in UK

1. Breachlock
2. Intruder
3. BlazeInfosec
4. Cybertec Security
5. Dhound
6. Cobalt
7. Citation Cyber, UK
8. Redfox Security
9. Cybaverse, UK
10. Redscan

Which are the 10 best UK Pen Testing Companies?

Breachlock

Intruder

BlazeInfosec

Cybertec Security

Dhound

Cobalt

Citation Cyber, UK

Redfox Security

Cybaverse, UK

Redscan

What is pen testing and why is it important to perform?

Pen testing, short for penetration testing, is a security testing methodology used to evaluate the security of a computer system, network, or application. Pen testing involves simulating a real-world attack on a system to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses that could be exploited by an attacker. The goal of pen testing is to find and fix these vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by attackers.

Pen testing is important for several reasons:

1. Identifying vulnerabilities: Pen testing can help identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses that may not be apparent through other security measures. By simulating an attack, pen testers can uncover potential security holes that could be exploited by attackers.
2. Reducing risk: By identifying and addressing vulnerabilities, pen testing can help reduce the risk of a successful attack on a system. This can help protect valuable data and assets and prevent the disruption of critical business operations.
3. Compliance: In some industries, regulatory requirements may mandate regular pen testing as part of data security compliance. Pen testing can help organizations demonstrate compliance with these regulations and provide evidence of due diligence in protecting their systems and data.
4. Improving security posture: Regular pen testing can help organizations improve their overall security posture by identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses and implementing appropriate remediation measures. This can help organizations stay ahead of emerging threats and maintain a strong security posture.

What are the 5 different types of Pen Testing?

There are several types of penetration testing, each designed to evaluate a specific aspect of an organization’s security posture. Here are brief explanations of five most common types of Pen testing:

Web application pen test

A web application pentest focuses on testing web-based applications, including the server-side code, client-side code, and any third-party integrations. The goal of this type of testing is to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by an attacker to gain unauthorized access to the application or to sensitive data.

API pen test

An API (application programming interface) pentest focuses on testing the security of an application’s APIs. This type of testing evaluates the API endpoints, data payloads, and authentication mechanisms to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by an attacker.

Mobile application pentest

A mobile application pentest is used to evaluate the security of mobile applications on both Android and iOS platforms. This type of testing typically includes evaluating the application’s code, communication protocols, data storage, and authentication mechanisms.

External network pentest

An external network pen test involves testing the security of an organization’s perimeter defenses, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems. This type of testing typically involves attempting to gain unauthorized access to the network from outside the organization’s physical boundaries.

Internal network pen test

An internal network pen test evaluates the security of an organization’s internal network. This type of testing typically involves simulating an attack from a trusted insider and attempting to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Cloud environment review

A cloud environment review evaluates the security of an organization’s cloud-based infrastructure, including both internal and external components. This type of testing typically involves evaluating the security of the cloud provider’s infrastructure as well as the organization’s use of cloud services and configurations.

Different types of penetration testing are used to evaluate different aspects of an organization’s security posture. Organizations can benefit from conducting a variety of penetration tests to identify and remediate vulnerabilities in their systems and applications.

How to choose right pen test service provider?

Choosing the right pen test company service provider is an important decision that can have a significant impact on the security of your organization. Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a pen test service provider:

1. Expertise and Experience: The Pen Testing provider should have a team of experienced and skilled security professionals who are knowledgeable in the latest attack methods and techniques. They should also have experience performing pen testing for organizations in your industry and have a good reputation in the market.
2. Methodology and Reporting: The pen testing company should have a well-defined methodology that they follow for pen testing and provide a detailed report of the findings. This report should be easy to understand and provide actionable recommendations for remediation.
3. Scope and Coverage: The provider should be able to tailor their pen testing services to your specific needs and provide coverage for all relevant areas of your infrastructure, including web applications, APIs, networks, mobile applications, and cloud environments.
4. Compliance and Certification: The provider should have certifications and compliance with relevant standards such as PCI DSS, ISO 27001, and SOC 2. This can be an indication of the provider’s commitment to security and their ability to deliver high-quality services.
5. Communication and Collaboration: The provider should have effective communication and collaboration processes in place to ensure that you are kept informed of the progress of the testing and that any issues that arise are addressed promptly.
6. Cost and Value: The provider’s pricing should be competitive and transparent, and the value of the services should be commensurate with the cost.