Why Proof Is More Than Just Ticking a Box
For a long time, an annual penetration test and a report were considered sufficient proof of your security approach. But expectations from regulators, customers and lawmakers have risen sharply. You now need to demonstrate not only that you develop securely, but also that you actively monitor, follow up on and resolve risks. So how can you ensure your security approach meets these new demands?
The New Compliance Bar for Security
New laws and regulations are shifting the focus from one-off snapshots to ongoing risk management. NIS2, DORA and the upcoming Cyber Resilience Act, for example, impose stricter requirements and embrace the “security built in” principle. Security must be demonstrably embedded in your (development) process and receive continuous attention.
The traditional annual penetration test is under pressure – it provides too little assurance and certainly doesn’t prove control. And that’s hardly surprising. Modern application development requires an approach that moves in real time and offers continuous insight into your current security status. This enables early prevention and resolution of security issues, without slowing down your pace of innovation.
New Rules, Greater Responsibility
With NIS2, DORA and CRA, security is moving from being an IT concern to a board-level responsibility. These laws require:
- Rapid detection and remediation of vulnerabilities
- Continuously updated risk assessments
- Evidence that security is an integral part of your development process
What’s more, under NIS2 and DORA, directors can be held personally liable for negligence, with substantial fines and reputational damage as potential consequences. Failure to provide proof not only carries legal risk but also commercial risk: tenders, RFPs and client assessments increasingly judge on demonstrable security. As a director, ensure you ask the right questions within your organisation to drive improvement and that your continuous improvement process is transparent.
OWASP ASVS
We’re strong advocates of OWASP ASVS. It’s a practical standard for measuring the security quality of applications, with clear criteria for different security levels. This allows you to work step by step on improvements and demonstrate progress. ASVS helps development teams and security specialists to work in alignment, and makes security demonstrable to auditors, customers and stakeholders.
From Standalone Reports to Continuous Proof
Continuous Pentesting is a new way of working. Security becomes a structural part of the development process, with a steady stream of security feedback flowing in. Risks are quickly visible, and security progress is measurable and provable over time.
You can clearly see what’s happening, who’s taking action, how quickly, and with what results. Everything is recorded in a central dashboard, so you always know exactly where you stand on security and compliance. Security becomes embedded in the development process, rather than a bottleneck.
The Tangible Compliance Benefits of Continuous Pentesting:
- Always up-to-date insights and proof for auditors, customers and management
- Automatic reporting aligned with standards such as OWASP Top 10 and OWASP ASVS
- Reduced audit pressure and less manual preparation
- Proven readiness for NIS2, DORA and CRA
- Stronger reputation: security by design and by evidence
An Integrated Process
Traditionally, security has been separate from development. With continuous pentesting, you get an integrated workflow. New releases are checked immediately, risks are automatically added to the backlog, and dashboards show in real time where action is needed. Everyone works from the same data – developers and auditors alike – making security a shared responsibility.
Compliance Is Not a Once-a-Year Test Report
Security proof is no longer a once-a-year exercise. You must continuously show that you understand, manage and follow up on risks – at any time and with every change. Organisations that get this right now will not only be compliant, but also faster, more efficient and more credible to customers, regulators and internal stakeholders.
Want to Make Compliance Simpler?
Want to know how your security approach measures up against NIS2, DORA and CRA?
Download the whitepaper The Power of Continuous Pentesting: Why an annual pentest is no longer sufficient.