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Penetration Tester

What is Penetration Tester?

A security professional who performs authorized simulated attacks against systems and networks to identify exploitable vulnerabilities.

Information Security

Frameworks that govern penetration tester

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

What the standards actually require on penetration tester

Requirements naming penetration tester across 4 standards, quoted from the control text.

BSIMM1 control

Penetration Testing. External penetration testers are used so an independent assessment finds vulnerabilities before attackers do.

PT1.1 · Use external penetration testers →
Ghana Cybersecurity Act1 control

Ghana CSA Service Provider Licensing + Professional Accreditation (Parts V + VI of Act 1038). CYBERSECURITY SERVICE PROVIDER LICENSING (Sec.49-58): MANDATORY LICENSING for entities providing cybersecurity services in Ghana including: (a) MANAGED SECURITY SERVI...

GhCSA-Service-Provider-Licensing-Professional · Cybersecurity Service Provider Licensing and Professional Accreditation →
IAEA Nuclear Security Series - Computer Security at Nuclear Facilities (NSS-17-T Rev 1)1 control

NSS-17 + NSS-42-G require personnel security + trustworthiness verification + training + awareness aligned with CSL access. Personnel security: background check + criminal record + financial + employment history + reference check + national security clearance...

IAEA-NSS17-Personnel-Trustworthiness-Training-Awareness · IAEA NSS-17 - Personnel Security + Trustworthiness + Training + Awareness + Cyber Hygiene →
PTES1 control

The penetration tester and client must define explicit scope boundaries including target IP ranges, domains, applications, physical sites, and business units that are included or excluded from testing.

PTES-PRE-1 · Engagement Scope Definition →

Questions people ask about penetration tester

What is Penetration Tester?
A security professional who performs authorized simulated attacks against systems and networks to identify exploitable vulnerabilities.
Why is Penetration Tester important for compliance?
Penetration Tester is a key concept in Information Security. Understanding penetration tester 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 Penetration Tester?
Penetration Tester appears in the requirement text of BSIMM, Ghana Cybersecurity Act, IAEA Nuclear Security Series - Computer Security at Nuclear Facilities (NSS-17-T Rev 1), PTES. Across these standards we have identified 4 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about Penetration Tester?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how penetration tester 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 Penetration Tester 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.