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Internal Penetration Testing

What is Internal Penetration Testing?

Authorized security testing conducted from within the organization's network to simulate attacks by insiders or compromised accounts.

Information Security

Frameworks that govern internal penetration testing

ISO 27001:2022View framework →NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5View framework →NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0View framework →

What the standards actually require on internal penetration testing

Requirements naming internal penetration testing across 2 standards, quoted from the control text.

CFTC System Safeguards (17 CFR 37, 38, 39, 49)1 control

Conduct internal penetration testing of a scope sufficient to satisfy the scope requirement, at a frequency determined by an appropriate risk analysis and no less frequently than annually for covered entities, performed by independent contractors or by employe...

CFTC-SS-34 · Internal Penetration Testing →
PCI DSS 4.01 control

Internal penetration testing is performed at least once every 12 months and after any significant infrastructure or application upgrade or change.

11.4.2 · Internal penetration testing annually →

Questions people ask about internal penetration testing

What is Internal Penetration Testing?
Authorized security testing conducted from within the organization's network to simulate attacks by insiders or compromised accounts.
Why is Internal Penetration Testing important for compliance?
Internal Penetration Testing is a key concept in Information Security. Understanding internal penetration testing helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and demonstrate due diligence during audits. Our compliance platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings.
Which compliance frameworks address Internal Penetration Testing?
Internal Penetration Testing appears in the requirement text of CFTC System Safeguards (17 CFR 37, 38, 39, 49), PCI DSS 4.0. Across these standards we have identified 2 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about Internal Penetration Testing?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how internal penetration testing applies across different standards and regulations. Our implementation guides provide step-by-step guidance, and the compliance platform offers AI-powered analysis of how this concept maps across 686 frameworks.

See how Internal Penetration Testing applies across compliance frameworks

Our platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings. Explore how this concept is addressed across standards.

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Written and maintained by Gerard Blokdyk, The Art of Service.