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APRA Penetration Testing

Human-Led + AI Testing

Penva Security helps APRA-regulated entities test whether critical information-security controls work under real attack conditions, supporting assurance across CPS 234, operational risk and third-party technology services.

Our reports are written for both technical teams and risk stakeholders, with clear scope, control deficiencies, business impact, remediation ownership and independent retest evidence.

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  • Certified Testers
  • Security Compliance
  • Manual Pentesting
Pentest Report SCANNING COMPLETE
APRA Assurance Report
scope: critical information assets · CVSS 3.1
Critical 3
High 6
Medium 9
Independent control assurance evidence generated
Technical testing for prudential assurance.
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CREST + OSCP testers APRA assurance 100% Australian
Definition

What Is APRA Penetration Testing?

APRA penetration testing is independent security testing performed within an APRA-regulated entity’s broader risk and assurance program. It provides practical evidence that controls protecting critical and sensitive information assets can resist realistic attack techniques.
The strongest connection is CPS 234, which requires a systematic program for testing control effectiveness using appropriately skilled and functionally independent specialists. Penetration testing can also support operational-risk work under CPS 230 and the wider risk-management framework under CPS 220.

APRA does not issue a penetration-testing certificate. The value lies in defensible evidence: risk-based scope, repeatable methods, clear deficiencies, timely escalation and verified remediation for systems operated internally or by service providers.

Requirements

What APRA-Regulated Entities Need to Demonstrate

A credible assurance program links technical testing to asset criticality, changing threats, independent expertise, third-party reliance and governance reporting.

CPS 234

Systematic Control Testing

Information-security controls should be tested through a planned assurance program rather than occasional, isolated checks.
Risk Based

Nature and Frequency

The depth and timing of testing should reflect changing threats, asset sensitivity, exposure to untrusted environments and material system changes.
Third Parties

Independent Verification

Where service providers manage information assets, the regulated entity still needs sufficient assurance that relevant controls are effective.
Governance

Escalation of Deficiencies

Material control weaknesses that cannot be fixed promptly should be clearly reported to senior management or the Board.
Independence

Skilled Specialists

Testing should be performed by people with the right technical capability and sufficient functional independence from the controls being tested.
CPS 230

Operational Resilience

Testing of systems supporting critical operations helps expose weaknesses that could affect continuity, recovery and service-provider resilience.
How Penva Delivers

Assurance Evidence for Risk, Audit and the Board

The engagement is designed to make technical findings usable within your existing governance, control-assurance and remediation processes.

Risk Scope Critical Asset Coverage

A risk-based scope statement linking tested applications, infrastructure and cloud services to their criticality, sensitivity and external exposure.

CPS 234 Control Effectiveness Testing

Hands-on validation of access, application, network and cloud controls, supported by evidence that demonstrates whether the control operated effectively.

Third Party Service-Provider Assurance

Testing of supplier-hosted or managed environments where authorised, helping reduce reliance on self-assessment alone.

Governance Clear Deficiency Reporting

Executive and technical reporting that distinguishes urgent control failures from lower-priority improvement opportunities.

Closure Independent Retest Evidence

A remediation retest and updated report so risk owners, internal audit and governance committees can see whether agreed fixes are effective.
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FAQ

APRA Penetration Testing - Common Questions

Answers for banks, insurers, superannuation entities and technology providers working with APRA-regulated organisations. Updated July 2026.

Does APRA require penetration testing?

CPS 234 requires APRA-regulated entities to systematically test the effectiveness of information-security controls. Penetration testing is one recognised way to validate controls protecting internet-facing, critical or sensitive assets. The exact scope and frequency should follow the entity’s risk-based testing program.

What is the difference between APRA and CPS 234 testing?

APRA is the regulator and its prudential framework covers several standards. CPS 234 is the specific information-security standard most directly connected to penetration testing. A broader APRA engagement may also consider operational resilience, governance and service-provider risk.

The frequency should reflect the rate of change in vulnerabilities and threats, asset criticality, exposure and material system changes. APRA guidance indicates that a sufficient set of controls would normally be tested at least annually, with exposed controls tested more often where appropriate.

Can testing cover third-party and cloud systems?

Yes, where the regulated entity and provider authorise the work. CPS 234 obligations continue to matter when information assets are managed by related parties or external service providers, so independent testing can strengthen the assurance available.

What does functional independence mean?

The tester should be sufficiently separate from the team that designed, operates or owns the control being assessed. External testers are commonly used because they provide specialist capability and an independent view of whether controls work in practice.

What should an APRA-focused report contain?

The report should clearly state scope, methodology, tested assets, attack evidence, control deficiencies, risk, remediation priorities and tester qualifications. It should be suitable for technical owners while also supporting risk, audit and governance reporting.

Is remediation retesting included?

Yes. Penva includes one retest within 60 days for fixed-price engagements. The updated report records whether the original attack path has been closed and provides evidence for your assurance and governance records.

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