Keeping your business safe from cyber threats can’t be considered a tick-box exercise anymore. With over 50% of businesses in the UK facing a cyber security breach or attack in the last 12 months, cyber security should be a top priority. Whether you’re operating in the public sector, handling critical national infrastructure (CNI), or just wanting to sleep better knowing your own systems and data are secure, penetration testing (pen testing) plays a leading role.
What is Penetration Testing?
Penetration testing is when you hire an ethical hacker to break into your systems, website, or network to find weaknesses before anyone can exploit them. It’s a bit like hiring a security guard to find all the ways someone could sneak into a building before they actually do it.
Ethical hackers are professionals who use the same techniques as the bad guys, but they do it with your permission. They can spot weak passwords, outdated software, and code flaws.
But not all pen testing is the same. Choosing the right provider could make the difference between spotting a vulnerability before someone exploits it or having to clean up the aftermath. This is where CHECK and CREST come into play, two of the leading penetration testing accreditations. Both are designed to help organisations test their digital defences, but which one is right for you? Let’s get into it.
CHECK vs CREST Penetration Testing
While both CHECK and CREST set high standards for penetration testing, they serve slightly different purposes and are aligned with different audiences. Let’s look at the core aspects of each.
What is CHECK?
CHECK is a UK-based framework developed by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of GCHQ. It’s like the gold star for cyber security services catering to the UK’s public sector organisations and CNI. CHECK providers are pre-approved to test high-stakes environments that require extra assurance.
Key features of CHECK:
- UK focused: CHECK is tailored for organisations in the UK dealing with sensitive government data or infrastructure. For example, it’s mandatory for systems processing data labelled “OFFICIAL” or higher.
- Exclusive club: To get CHECK-accredited, providers go through a rigorous testing and vetting process set by the NCSC. And companies have to employ at least one CHECK-certified Team Leader.
- NCSC standards: Tests follow NCSC-defined methodologies for ethical hacking and produces reports aligned with the NCSC’s high standards.
CHECK providers undergo a strict approval process, ensuring they can confidently work in high-pressure sectors like defence, critical infrastructure, and public services. It ensures compliance, reliability, and the highest levels of security, crucial for systems managing national-level risks.
What is CREST?
While CHECK is a UK-specific scheme, CREST (Council of Registered Ethical Security Testers) keeps things global. This not-for-profit membership body is all about setting high standards across the cyber security industry.
Key features of CREST:
- Global reach: CREST-accredited providers serve clients worldwide and promote best practices in the broader cybersecurity landscape.
- Rigorous standards: CREST-mandated compliance includes certifications such as ISO 27001, liability insurance, and Cyber Essentials.
- Professional certification: CREST-certified professionals undergo rigorous training, ensuring they’re ready for your toughest challenges.
CREST’s flexibility makes it an ideal option for multinationals and private sector companies with demanding security standards. It’s less about government mandates and more about ensuring you’ve got the highest standards on your side.
Key differences between CHECK and CREST
Why choose CHECK or CREST?
Here’s the thing, not every cyber security framework is a one-size-fits-all. You’ll want to match your organisation’s needs and regulatory requirements to the right one.
Choose CHECK if…
- You’re operating in the public sector or working on government contracts.
- Your systems manage classified information requiring approval under NCSC guidelines.
- Compliance with official UK standards is a non-negotiable requirement.
Choose CREST if…
- Your organisation spans multiple regions or operates in industries like finance, healthcare, or tech.
- You prefer a wider range of certifications beyond penetration testing.
- Regulatory compliance (e.g., GDPR, PCI DSS) is on your radar, but government contracts aren’t your core focus.
Why CHECK approval matters for public sector organisations
CHECK approval speaks to a provider’s ability to deliver against the rigorous standards required by UK public sector organisations. With the NCSC’s backing, businesses approved under CHECK (like Citation Cyber) bring proven methodologies, precise reporting, and unmatched cyber assurance.
Why accreditation matters
Accreditation frameworks like CHECK and CREST give you confidence that the people testing your systems are the best in the business. You know you’re meeting standards and staying ahead of evolving threats. Regular pen testing, backed by trusted accreditations, is the key to a robust security posture.
Think about it, you want to ensure your customers, clients, and stakeholders can trust your organisation. That’s what it’s all about.
How Citation Cyber can help
At Citation Cyber, we’re proud to be CHECK-approved while also offering CREST-accredited services. Whether it’s UK government compliance or global best practices, our team of certified ethical hackers tailor services to match your unique needs. We test, we protect, and we guide you every step of the way.
Cyber threats don’t stand still, and neither do we. From training your team to patching vulnerabilities, we offer one-stop solutions to take your cyber defences to the next level.
Want to know more? Get in touch, and we’ll talk through how our CHECK or CREST solutions can work for you.
