Security Testing and Test Management

Testing aligned to the security question

Stanway Hope supports organisations in planning, coordinating and managing security testing so that it is aligned with security objectives, identified risks and wider delivery requirements. Effective test management helps ensure findings are understood, evidence is captured and issues are followed through, rather than testing becoming an isolated technical exercise.

Testing is also an important assurance mechanism for controls. Stanway Hope can support and coordinate security testing activities so clients and related stakeholders can understand the assurance those controls provide. Where specialist independent penetration testing or CHECK testing is required, we support and coordinate an appropriately qualified external testing provider.

How we can help

Plan and coordinate the testing, capture the findings, and keep the evidence usable for wider assurance.

Test planning

Define security test objectives, scope and priorities, including test scoping and prerequisite management.

Test coordination

Coordinate security testing with technical and project stakeholders, including where an external testing provider is required.

Requirements coverage

Help align testing with identified security requirements and controls, so effort is spent on the questions that matter.

Security testing activities

Support and coordinate testing which may include IT Health Checks (ITHC), penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, host and build security reviews, and Microsoft 365 security configuration reviews.

Finding management

Support the review of findings, and the planning and tracking of remediation through delivery.

Evidence review and retesting

Review testing evidence and outcomes in support of wider assurance, and support retesting or validation of remediation where appropriate.

What this helps you achieve

Testing earns its place when it is focused on the right question, and the findings can be used by delivery and assurance teams.

Focus

Testing aimed at the objective

Testing focused on relevant security objectives, identified risks and the controls that are meant to address them.

Visibility

Coverage and findings in view

Clearer visibility of testing coverage and findings, so stakeholders can see what has been examined and what remains.

Follow-through

Issues captured through delivery

Security issues recorded, assessed and tracked, rather than left as an isolated test report.

Assurance

Evidence that can be reused

Testing evidence that can contribute to wider assurance and accreditation activity.

Our approach

Plan the testing, coordinate the work, then assess results and follow through on the actions that matter.

Step 1

Plan

Establish objectives, scope and required evidence.

Step 2

Coordinate

Align testing activities with delivery teams and relevant stakeholders, including coordination of an external testing provider where that is required.

Step 3

Assess

Review results, findings and their security significance.

Step 4

Follow through

Track relevant actions and support subsequent validation where further testing is appropriate.

From testing to assurance

Security testing is most useful when it answers a defined question and leaves evidence that others can use. Findings, coverage and outstanding issues should remain visible to delivery and assurance stakeholders, rather than sitting in an isolated test report.

Stanway Hope can help keep that relationship in view so testing is planned against the security need, issues are followed through, and the resulting evidence can contribute to later assurance activity.

Related services

Testing is often the evidence that assurance work needs to stand on. It also depends on the requirements and architecture being tested.

Let us talk about security testing

If you need a testing programme planned, delivered or managed, we can discuss the approach that would give you usable findings and evidence.

Talk to our team