Cybersecurity threats are growing more sophisticated and dangerous by the day. Whether you are business, growing startup, or multinational enterprise, the reality is simple, no one is immune to cyberattacks. Among the most effective ways to test your organization’s defenses is penetration testing (ethical hacking). However, not all penetration tests are performed equally, nor do all providers follow the same methodology.
The BFSI sector (Banking, Financial, and Insurance) is seeing a massive rise in cyber attacks in 2024. According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024, the average cost of a data breach globally was $4.88 million (up 10% from 2023) and $2.18 million in India. The digital expansion of BFSI, which is projected to reach $3.1 trillion in payment transactions by 2028 according to a PwC report, is increasing cyber threats.
According to data from Indian cybersecurity agency CERT-In, phishing attacks in India grew 175% in June 2024. Reports from Kaspersky and Group-IB revealed that private keys are being stolen by new malware variants on crypto exchanges and wallets. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Report 2024, social engineering attacks, such as BEC and phishing, involve pretexting in 54% of cases.
These attacks have become more effective due to AI and deepfake technology. According to Check Point Research, AI tools like WormGPT and FraudGPT have made it easier to create phishing emails and malware, making it simpler for cybercriminals to launch complex attacks.
So, don’t leave your business vulnerable. If you are serious about securing your business from breaches, exploits, and data theft then choosing CREST-certified penetration testing provider is essential. This helps you block breaches and your clients’ data remains protected.
Why is penetration testing important?
Penetration testing, also known as ethical hacking, is way to test how strong your cybersecurity is. It simulates real world attacks to find weaknesses in your systems, networks, and applications before real hackers. Nowadays, security flaws are increasing in in Android or iOS based mobiles. The gaming platforms and 5G networks are also in the same radar, which hackers take advantage of. Instead of automated tools, expert hackers perform real-world attacks and test your security.Instead of using automated tools scan, penetration testing is done by skilled professionals who use the same methods as cybercriminals to try and break in. This helps you discover and fix security gaps before they are exploited.
The goals of penetration test are to:
- Identify exploitable vulnerabilities
- Assessing potential business impacts of successful exploits
- Provide recommendations to mitigate security gaps
- Test the effectiveness of your current security posture
The penetration test primarily depends on the tester’s skill, ethics, and methodology. This is where, CREST certification steps in.
What is CREST? What does it mean to be CREST-certified?
CREST (Council of Registered Ethical Security Testers) is internationally recognized not-for-profit accreditation body that certifies cybersecurity companies and professionals. Established in 2006, CREST works closely with governments, regulators, industry, organization leaders worldwide.
CREST certification ensures that cybersecurity provider:
- Employs highly trained and vetted professionals
- Follows rigorous standardized methodologies
- Adheres to strict codes of conduct and ethics
- Undergoes regular audits and quality assessments
- Delivery reports that meet legal, regulatory, and industry expectations
Whether operating in finance, healthcare, retail, or government, CREST-certified pen testing provider means partnering with company that meets the highest global standards.
10 Reasons to Choose CREST-Certified Penetration Testing Provider
In today’s time, relying only on antivirus and firewall in the matter of cyber security can be dangerous. Penetration testing is an important process to truly test the security of any organization. But the question arises, why choose a CREST-certified provider instead of any penetration testing provider? There are some solid reasons behind this, which not only increase your security but also ensure long-term cyber resilience.
1. Global Credibility and Recognition
CREST (Council of Registered Ethical Security Testers) is an international organization that strictly enforces the standards of cyber security testing. CREST’s name is a trusted brand in regions like UK, Europe, Asia and America. When you choose a CREST-certified provider, you know that your security test is being done on international standards.
2. Trained and Vetted Experts
CREST certified providers are thoroughly vetted for their technical skills, ethical hacking experience, and past work before being hired. I saw a case where a non-CREST provider reported using only automated tools, while the CREST team found several critical vulnerabilities through manual testing that the machines missed.
3. Standardized and Repeatable Methodology
CREST providers follow certified methods like PTES (Penetration Testing Execution Standard), ensuring consistent testing quality every time. This is especially important if you need to test multiple times a year, such as for PCI DSS compliance.
4. Comprehensive and Actionable Reports
Penetration test is only as good as the report it produces. CREST accredited testers provide detailed, actionable reports that include:
- Technical findings and their business impact
- Reproduction steps
- Remediation recommendations
- Prioritized risk scoring
This reports are crafted not just for technical teams, but also for senior executives and auditors.
5. Ethical and Legal Accountability
Cybersecurity is trust based business hence CREST providers strictly follow data privacy and legal rules. Once a non-certified tester inadvertently deleted the client’s production data, causing a big loss. On the other hand, CREST providers have clear guidelines on what to do and what not to do.
6. Assurance During Compliance Audits
If you are going for compliance like ISO 27001, SOC 2, or GDPR, then CREST reports seem more reliable to auditors. I have seen that many times auditors reject non-accredited testing reports, which wastes both time and money.
7. Focus on Security, Not Sales
Many companies in the market try to sell their security products only in the name of penetration testing. In the case of an automobile company, I saw a non-CREST vendor trying to sell expensive software licenses without doing enough testing. On the other hand, CREST-certified providers focus on finding and fixing real security flaws, not selling products.
8. Independent and Third Party Validation
Providers have to undergo rigorous independent audits to obtain CREST certification. One of my clients told me that they doubted a report from a non-certified company because it missed several basic vulnerabilities. When they got the test re-tested by a CREST provider, it turned out that more than 40% of the critical issues in the previous report were missed. CREST third-party validation ensures that you get complete and unbiased information.
9. Adaptability Across Industries
Different sectors have different cybersecurity challenges. I have seen a healthcare organization need specialized testing for HIPAA compliance, while an e-commerce company needed to focus on payment gateway security. CREST providers have specialist teams for various sectors such as banking, government institutions, retail, and telecom. They have domain-specific knowledge that is different from generic testing providers.
10. Long-term Partnership for Cyber Resilience
CREST providers do not just perform one-time testing, but become the perfect partner in your cybersecurity journey. I worked with a fintech company where the CREST provider not only performed the initial testing, but also conducted quarterly follow-up audits, alerted about newly emerging threats, and also provided staff training. This holistic approach is what builds true cyber resilience, not just a one-time tick-box exercise.
Case in Point: What Happens When You Choose Non Certified Testers?
It’s tempting to save money by choosing cheaper, uncertified testers, but the cost of poorly conducted penetration test can be catastrophic.
Examples include:
- Missed vulnerabilities that lead to breaches
- Poor reporting that fails to inform real decisions
- Unethical testing practices that cause disruptions
- Legal risks due to data mishandling or inadequate authorization
You get what you pay for, in cybersecurity, cutting corners can cost millions.
CREST and Other Global Standards: How They Stack Up?
While CREST is one of the most respected accreditation bodies, it’s not alone. Others include:
- OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional)
- CHECK (UK government scheme)
- TIBER EU (for financial entities in Europe)
However, CREST stands out due to its company level certification, global governance, and auditing practices. Many organizations pair CREST with certifications like ISO 27001 and SOC2 for end to end assurance.
How to Choose the Right CREST Certified Provider?
Not all CREST-certified companies offer the same scope or expertise. So before choosing a right CREST certified partner… here’s what to look for:
- Sector experience (eg- healthcare, finance, government)
- Tools and technology stack (cloud, web, IoT, mobile phone applications (Android & iOS))
- Customizable testing (black box, white-box, red teaming)
- Post-engagement support (remediation advice, re-testing)
- Customer testimonials and case studies
Ask questions? review sample reports, and ensure the provider matches your operational scale and cybersecurity maturity level. Alternatively, the best way go to Members – CREST and filter this database of CREST-accredited companies to match your requirements.
Final Thoughts
Cyber threats are evolving rapidly, and your organization can not afford to guess, when it comes to defense. A high quality penetration test can expose vulnerabilities before adversaries exploit them, but only if qualified, ethical, and experienced professionals perform it.
By Choosing CREST-certified penetration testing provider, you are investing in:
- Assurance
- Expertise
- Trust
- Long term resilience
It’s not just about checking box for compliance it’s about making strategic decision to safeguard your business in digital world. where cybersecurity can define the success or failure of business, the CREST badge offers clarity, credibility, and confidence.
