Which compliance frameworks require penetration testing?

PCI DSS explicitly requires penetration testing under Requirement 11.3. SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria CC6.1, CC7.1 and CC7.2 effectively require it. ISO 27001 Annex A.12.6 requires technical vulnerability management which is best demonstrated through penetration testing. HIPAA requires technical safeguard evaluation. NIST CSF and CIS Controls both include penetration testing as a recommended control. SOX Section 404 requires testing of IT controls over financial reporting.

How do I know which compliance pentest I need?

Start with the frameworks your organization is required or has chosen to comply with. If you process payment cards, you need PCI DSS testing. If you handle health information, HIPAA applies. If you serve enterprise clients, SOC 2 is likely required. Canadian organizations handling personal information fall under PIPEDA. Sherlock Forensics offers a free scoping call to identify which frameworks apply to your environment and build a single engagement that covers all of them.

Compliance Testing

Compliance Penetration Testing

One pentest, multiple compliance checkboxes.

Sherlock Forensics delivers compliance penetration testing mapped to SOC 2, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PIPEDA, NIST CSF, CIS Controls and SOX. A single engagement satisfies multiple framework requirements with findings mapped to specific controls across each standard. Reports include a compliance mapping matrix, CVSS-scored findings, remediation roadmap and attestation documentation. Standard compliance penetration tests start at $5,000 CAD and Comprehensive engagements at $12,000 CAD.

Scope a Compliance Pentest All Penetration Testing

Frameworks We Cover

One Engagement, Eight Frameworks

Framework	Pentest Requirement	Specific Controls
SOC 2	Expected by auditors	CC6.1, CC7.1, CC7.2
PCI DSS 4.0	Explicitly required	Requirement 11.3
ISO 27001	Required for certification	Annex A.12.6, A.18.2
HIPAA	Required (technical safeguard evaluation)	164.308(a)(8), 164.312
PIPEDA	Recommended (Safeguards Principle)	Principle 4.7, OPC guidance
NIST CSF	Recommended	PR.IP-12, DE.CM-8
CIS Controls	Recommended	Control 18 (Penetration Testing)
SOX	Required (IT controls over financial reporting)	Section 404

Why It Works

How One Pentest Covers Multiple Frameworks

Compliance Mapping Matrix

Every finding in our report includes a compliance mapping matrix showing which specific controls across each framework it addresses. Your auditors, QSAs and compliance team can reference findings directly against the frameworks that apply to your organization.

Methodology Covers All Bases

Our testing methodology follows PTES and OWASP, which are accepted by every major compliance framework. We test external and internal networks, web applications, APIs, cloud configurations and access controls. This scope satisfies the testing requirements across SOC 2, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, HIPAA and every other framework in our matrix.

Separate Attestation Letters

Need separate attestation letters for different auditors? We provide framework-specific attestation letters at no additional cost. Your SOC 2 auditor gets a letter referencing Trust Services Criteria. Your QSA gets a letter referencing PCI DSS requirements. Same engagement, tailored documentation.

Framework-Specific Testing

Dedicated Compliance Pentest Pages

SOC 2 Penetration Testing

Trust Services Criteria CC6.1, CC7.1 and CC7.2 mapping. Type I vs Type II timing. Reports your auditor will accept with attestation letter. Standard from $5,000 CAD.

PCI DSS Penetration Testing

Requirement 11.3 coverage under PCI DSS 4.0. SAQ breakdown, ASV scan vs pentest comparison and internal CDE testing with ShadowTap. Standard from $5,000 CAD.

ISO 27001 Penetration Testing

For organizations pursuing ISO 27001 certification, see our dedicated ISO 27001 penetration testing service with Annex A control mapping.

General Penetration Testing

Full overview of our penetration testing capabilities including network, application, cloud, red team, social engineering and AI/ML security testing.

Updates

PCI DSS 4.0 and CMMC

PCI DSS 4.0: The latest version introduces requirement 11.4 with expanded penetration testing scope. Internal testing methodology must now be defined by the entity. External testing must be performed by a qualified tester. Sherlock Forensics delivers PCI-aligned pentests with reports formatted for your QSA. Read our PCI 4.0 guide.

CMMC: Defense contractors handling CUI must meet CMMC Level 2+ requirements aligned to NIST SP 800-171. Penetration testing validates your implementation of these 110 controls. Learn about our CMMC assessment service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Compliance Penetration Testing FAQs

Can one penetration test satisfy multiple compliance frameworks?: Yes. We structure engagements to map findings across multiple frameworks simultaneously. A single penetration test can satisfy SOC 2, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, HIPAA and other requirements. Our reports include a compliance mapping matrix showing which findings address which framework controls.
Which compliance frameworks require penetration testing?: PCI DSS explicitly requires it under Requirement 11.3. SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria effectively require it. ISO 27001 requires technical vulnerability management. HIPAA requires technical safeguard evaluation. NIST CSF and CIS Controls include it as a recommended control. SOX Section 404 requires testing of IT controls over financial reporting.
How do I know which compliance pentest I need?: Start with the frameworks your organization must comply with. Payment cards mean PCI DSS. Health information means HIPAA. Enterprise clients typically require SOC 2. Canadian personal information falls under PIPEDA. Contact us for a free scoping call to identify which frameworks apply and build one engagement that covers all of them. Which assessment satisfies your compliance framework? Check the comparison matrix.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Can one penetration test satisfy multiple compliance frameworks at once?

Yes. Sherlock Forensics structures engagements to map findings across multiple frameworks simultaneously. A single penetration test can satisfy SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria, PCI DSS Requirement 11.3, ISO 27001 Annex A.12.6 and HIPAA technical safeguard requirements. Our reports include a compliance mapping matrix showing which findings address which framework controls.

Which compliance frameworks explicitly require penetration testing?

PCI DSS explicitly requires it under Requirement 11.3. SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria effectively require it for CC6.1, CC7.1 and CC7.2. ISO 27001 requires technical vulnerability management under Annex A.12.6. HIPAA requires technical safeguard evaluation. NIST CSF and CIS Controls include it as a recommended control. SOX Section 404 requires testing of IT controls over financial reporting.

What changed in PCI DSS 4.0 for penetration testing requirements?

PCI DSS 4.0 requirement 11.4 expands penetration testing scope. Internal testing methodology must be defined and documented by the entity. External testing must be performed by a qualified tester. The new standard also requires segmentation testing every six months for service providers and adds requirements for authenticated scanning.

How do I determine which compliance pentest my organization needs?

Start with the frameworks your organization must comply with. Payment card processing requires PCI DSS. Health information means HIPAA. Enterprise clients typically require SOC 2. Canadian personal information falls under PIPEDA. Contact Sherlock Forensics for a free scoping call to identify which frameworks apply and build one engagement that covers all of them.

Do you provide separate attestation letters for different auditors?

Yes. We provide framework-specific attestation letters at no additional cost. Your SOC 2 auditor receives a letter referencing Trust Services Criteria. Your QSA receives a letter referencing PCI DSS requirements. Same engagement with tailored documentation for each compliance audience.

Get Started

One pentest. Every framework.

Standard compliance penetration testing from $5,000 CAD. Comprehensive with internal testing from $12,000 CAD. Reports mapped to every framework you need. Compliance frameworks increasingly require documented tabletop exercises alongside penetration testing. Start with a free external security scan to scope your engagement.

Since 20064.8/5 ratingCISSP, ISSAP certified

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Scope Your Compliance Penetration Test

Tell us which frameworks apply to your organization and we will build a single engagement that satisfies all of them. Free scoping call, fixed-price quote within one business day.

Call 604.229.1994

Phone: 604.229.1994
Burnaby Office: Burnaby, BC, Canada
Coquitlam Office: Coquitlam, BC, Canada
Typical Timeline: 5-15 business days from kickoff to final report