Why is compliance penetration testing different from regular penetration testing?+
Methodologically, the testing itself is identical - OWASP WSTG v4.2, PTES, NIST SP 800-115. What's different is the reporting format, methodology citations, and attestation language. A compliance-aligned pentest report includes specific framework citations (ISO 27001 Annex A.8.8, SOC 2 CC7.1, PCI DSS Req 11.4, etc.), maps findings to relevant control objectives, and produces an attestation letter formatted for the specific audit type. The testing is the same; the deliverable is engineered for the auditor.
Which framework should I prioritise if I'm only going to do one?+
Depends entirely on your buyer and your geography. For Australian SaaS selling internationally: SOC 2 Type II. For Australian regulated entities (ADIs, insurers, super): APRA CPS 234. For payment processors: PCI DSS. For Australian Government supply-chain: Essential Eight ML2 minimum. For HealthTech: Privacy Act + HIPAA if US-adjacent. For most growing AU businesses, ISO 27001 is the broadest foundation that opens doors across many specific audits - it's our most common starting recommendation when buyers don't have a single specific compliance driver.
Can one pentest engagement satisfy multiple frameworks simultaneously?+
Yes - and this is the normal pattern, not the exception. A single Penva Security engagement typically produces evidence accepted by 2-4 different frameworks. The most common combinations: SOC 2 + ISO 27001 (SaaS), APRA CPS 234 + PCI DSS (FinTech), HIPAA + Privacy Act (HealthTech). The testing methodology is shared; the report is structured to address each framework's specific evidence requirements. This is significantly more cost-effective than running parallel engagements per framework.
What's the difference between an Australian framework like APRA CPS 234 and a global one like SOC 2?+
Three meaningful differences. (1) APRA CPS 234 is regulatory (legally binding for APRA-regulated entities) while SOC 2 is market-driven (required by US enterprise procurement but not legally mandated). (2) APRA CPS 234 has a paragraph 36 reporting obligation to APRA itself; SOC 2 reports are circulated to your customers' procurement teams. (3) APRA CPS 234 mandates tripartite review (the regulated entity, the service provider, and APRA); SOC 2 is between you and your AICPA-registered auditor. Otherwise, the testing methodology is identical.
Do I need a different pentest team for each framework?+
No. CREST-certified Australian pentesters can test against all eight frameworks listed here. What varies is the report structure and methodology citations - those are deliverable formatting, not testing capability. Penva Security delivers all eight framework alignments using the same tester team and same methodology, with framework-specific report formats per engagement requirement.
What's the typical compliance pentest cost in Australia?+
Compliance pentests don't cost more than non-compliance pentests at Penva Security - the methodology is the same. Standard pricing: AUD $2,500 (small scope, single framework) to $40,000+ (large multi-framework engagement). Most compliance engagements land at $7,500-$25,000 for the testing itself, with reporting variations adding minimal cost. See our cost page for detailed pricing across scope sizes.
Which framework is most common for Penva Security engagements?+
Three frameworks dominate Australian pentest demand: SOC 2 Type II (Australian SaaS selling into US enterprise), ISO 27001 (broad-base credential for international credibility), and APRA CPS 234 (Australian financial services). Together these account for the majority of our annual engagement volume. PCI DSS, Essential Eight, IRAP/ISM, HIPAA, and GDPR/Privacy Act engagements are common but represent smaller proportions individually.
Does Penva Security help with the broader compliance work or just the pentest?+
Just the pentest - it's our specialty. The pentest is one input among many in a compliance program (alongside policy work, risk assessment, control implementation, employee training, audit preparation). For the broader compliance program, we work alongside Australian GRC consultancies, IRAP-aligned advisors, and SOC 2/ISO 27001-specific compliance firms - all of whom we can recommend during scoping if you need an introduction.
Is the new URL structure (/compliance-penetration-testing/) different from the old one (/penetration-testing/)?+
Yes. As Penva Security's content has grown, we restructured compliance-aligned content under /compliance-penetration-testing/ to make the URL hierarchy clearer. The 8 framework pages are progressively migrating to the new URL structure. Both URL patterns remain accessible during migration; new internal links from other Penva Security content point to the new structure.
Where do I find the per-framework testing details?+
Each of the 8 frameworks has its own dedicated page covering: what the framework requires, which paragraphs/requirements specifically address pentesting, what evidence auditors expect, typical Penva Security engagement scope, and FAQs specific to that framework. Click any framework card above to access the dedicated page.
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