ISO 27001 Penetration Testing

ISO 27001 is the international standard for information security management systems (ISMS). While the standard does not use the phrase "penetration test," three controls create a clear requirement for independent technical testing. Certification auditors routinely request penetration test reports as primary evidence for these controls.

Annex A.12.6 - Technical Vulnerability Management

Requires organizations to obtain timely information about technical vulnerabilities, evaluate exposure and take appropriate measures. A penetration test is the most direct way to identify exploitable vulnerabilities in your environment and demonstrate that you have a process for managing them. Auditors expect to see evidence that vulnerabilities were identified, assessed for risk and remediated.

Annex A.18.2 - Independent Review of Information Security

Requires that the organization's approach to managing information security be independently reviewed at planned intervals or when significant changes occur. An external penetration test performed by a qualified third party satisfies this requirement. The review must be independent of the teams responsible for implementing the controls being tested.

Clause 8 - Operational Planning and Control

Clause 8 requires organizations to plan, implement and control the processes needed to meet information security requirements. This includes establishing criteria for the processes and implementing control of those processes in accordance with the criteria. Penetration testing provides measurable evidence that security controls are operating as designed and that operational processes are producing the intended security outcomes.

For a broader overview of how penetration testing maps to multiple compliance frameworks, see our compliance penetration testing page.

Our testing methodology follows PTES and OWASP standards. Every finding is mapped to the relevant Annex A control and cross-referenced against your Statement of Applicability. The following test areas are included based on the systems defined in your ISMS scope.

For details on our general penetration testing methodology and deliverables, visit our main service page.

Many organizations pursue both ISO 27001 certification and SOC 2 attestation. The testing methodology is similar but the report format and control mapping differ. The table below outlines the key differences.

If your organization requires SOC 2 attestation, see our dedicated SOC 2 penetration testing page. We can produce reports mapped to both frameworks from a single engagement.

Pricing depends on the number of in-scope systems, network complexity and whether social engineering or wireless testing is required. Order online or contact us for a custom quote. For organizations also pursuing PIPEDA compliance, see our PIPEDA compliance guide.

Does ISO 27001 require a penetration test?

ISO 27001 does not explicitly mandate penetration testing but Annex A.12.6 requires technical vulnerability management and Annex A.18.2 requires independent review of information security. Penetration testing is the standard evidence auditors accept to satisfy both controls. Most certification bodies treat a current pentest report as essential evidence during surveillance and recertification audits.

What is the difference between ISO 27001 and SOC 2 penetration testing?

ISO 27001 pentests map findings to Annex A controls and the Statement of Applicability. SOC 2 pentests map to Trust Services Criteria. The testing methodology is similar but the report format and control mapping differ significantly. Sherlock Forensics produces reports formatted for either framework and can deliver dual-mapped reports from a single engagement.

How much does an ISO 27001 pentest cost in Canada?

An ISO 27001 penetration test at Sherlock Forensics starts at $3,500 CAD. This includes external and internal testing with findings mapped to Annex A controls. Pricing depends on the number of systems in scope and the complexity of the environment. Order online or contact us for a custom quote.

How often should I do a penetration test for ISO 27001?

ISO 27001 requires ongoing evaluation of information security controls. Most certification bodies expect annual penetration testing at minimum. Testing should also occur after significant changes to infrastructure, applications or network architecture. If you undergo a major system migration or add new services to your ISMS scope, schedule a pentest before your next surveillance audit.