CREST penetration testing southeast asia allows the detection of vulnerable areas that should be improved to enhance cybersecurity. Financial and technological firms and critical infrastructures require a proper assessment of cybersecurity to fulfil the relevant requirements.
In June 2026, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that 62.5% of ICT device users experienced cybersecurity incidents in 2024, affecting approximately 24.28 million people. The findings highlight the scale of cyber risks in the region and the importance of identifying security weaknesses before attackers exploit them.
In this blog, we will discuss the issues concerning CREST accreditation, regulatory requirements, testing methods, and typical vulnerabilities in the three countries. It also provides information on assessment deliverables and the selection of a CREST-accredited penetration testing firm.
Key Takeaways
- A penetration test that is accredited by CREST assists in discovering any exploitable security loopholes in Southeast Asia.
- The organization is expected to comply with relevant OJK, BSP, BNM, and data protection rules.
- The tests include web and mobile applications, APIs, network testing, cloud platforms, and critical infrastructure testing.
- Examples of vulnerabilities discovered during such testing include vulnerabilities of API, SQL injection, cloud misconfiguration, and privilege escalation.
- Check the CREST accreditation, qualifications, data security and retesting facility of your provider.
- Clear reports help teams understand risks, prioritize fixes, and strengthen security.
What Is CREST-Accredited Penetration Testing in Southeast Asia?
CREST penetration testing in Southeast Asia is carried out by companies whose penetration testing services have been assessed by CREST. The assessment is done on the provider’s technical ability, governance, testing process, risk management, and protection of client data.
CREST certification has multiple advantages for organizations operating in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia, including:
- Independent certification of quality: The provider has been certified against CREST criteria for the accredited service.
- Improved security governance: The certification process takes into account organizational controls, risk management, and the security of customer information.
- Enhanced assurance in selecting the right provider: Buyers can check the certification instead of taking the provider’s word.
- Standardized service criteria: Specific criteria have been established to ensure proper testing practices and customer security.
It is important to note that the CREST certification does not necessarily mean that all local regulatory requirements are met.
Why Should Organizations in Southeast Asia Prioritize CREST-Accredited Penetration Testing?
Southeast Asian companies rely on digital banking, online payments, cloud computing, and business applications. This increases security risks, which need to be tested regularly. In an IBM survey from 2026, the average cost of a data breach for companies in ASEAN was US$4.12 million. CREST penetration testing in Southeast Asia allows businesses to assess vulnerabilities using providers that are tested against industry standards.
- Regulatory and Compliance Requirements: Financial institutions need to comply with the relevant cybersecurity requirements prescribed by regulators such as Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), and OJK in Indonesia. Penetration testing assists in finding vulnerabilities in the security controls, even though CREST accreditation is not mandatory.
- Enhancing vendor assurance: CREST assesses penetration testing vendors based on set criteria. In January 2026, two Vietnamese firms gained CREST penetration testing certification based on fulfilling 6 key assessment domains and 58 sub-criteria.
- Security of sensitive data: The process of testing can reveal credentials, source code, customer data, and internal systems. It is important to check whether the provider properly secures testing evidence and deletes sensitive data.
- Security outcome improvements: Penetration testing is not only about identifying possible vulnerabilities but also about verifying if the vulnerabilities can be exploited. It allows teams to make better decisions on security.
Organizations need to choose service providers taking into account their accreditation, technical competence, quality of reporting, and assistance in remediation in accordance with relevant regulatory requirements.
How Do Cybersecurity Vendors Perform CREST-Accredited Penetration Testing in Indonesia?
The growing digital economy in Indonesia provides hackers with an increased attack surface in financial institutions and e-payment platforms. Penetration testing, which is provided by CREST-accredited independent service providers, helps organizations identify vulnerabilities in applications, APIs, networks, and cloud infrastructure.
1. Penetration Testing Services and Scope
The testing process starts with the specification of the assets to be tested, permissible techniques to be used, and risk management strategies to be followed. Typically, there are many different testing grounds like:
- Web and mobile applications: Authentication, session management, and front-end applications.
- APIs and microservices: Authorization, transactions, and third-party APIs.
- Network and infrastructure: Open services, internal networks, and legacy systems.
- Cloud environments: Permissions, cloud storage settings, and cloud apps.
The scope should identify target domains, IP ranges, API endpoints, cloud environments, excluded systems, testing schedule, and contact points for emergencies. In cases where access to personal data can occur, the Personal Data Protection Law (Law No. 27 of 2022) of Indonesia should be taken into consideration.
2. Cost of CREST Penetration Testing
CREST penetration testing in Indonesia may cost approximately US3,000–US25,000 or more per engagement, depending on the scope and complexity of the assessment.
- Standard testing: Approximately US$ 3,000 – US$ 5,000 for web applications, mobile apps, or networks.
- Cloud and SaaS testing: Approximately US$ 5,000– US$30,000 or more, depending on the environment.
- Red teaming: Approximately US$25,000 or more for advanced attack simulations.
The final cost depends on the number of assets, testing depth, compliance requirements, and reporting needs. These are indicative estimates, not official CREST rates, and actual prices vary by provider.
3. Regulatory and Compliance Considerations in Indonesia
Organizations must consider applicable data protection, electronic-system, and sector-specific cybersecurity requirements. Relevant frameworks include Law No. 27 of 2022 on Personal Data Protection, Government Regulation No. 71 of 2019, and regulations issued by the Financial Services Authority (OJK) and Bank Indonesia (BI).
For banks, OJK Circular Letter No. 29/SEOJK.03/2022 addresses cybersecurity testing based on vulnerability analysis. Relevant considerations include:
- Data protection: Handle personal information according to applicable privacy requirements.
- Security testing: Follow sector-specific requirements for vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and scenario-based exercises.
- Confidentiality: Protect testing evidence and maintain required records.
- Regulatory reporting: Applicable OJK provisions require banks to report scenario-based testing results within 10 working days of completion and conduct such testing at least annually.
Organizations should confirm which obligations apply to their institution rather than assuming all requirements cover every Indonesian business.
4. Penetration Testing Reports and Deliverables
The output documents allow management to identify the risks and technical teams to mitigate them. All engagements have the following two primary outputs:
- Executive Summary: Identifies important findings, business impact, risk level, and priority mitigation actions.
- Technical Report: Identifies assets affected, steps to reproduce the issue, proof of concept, root cause analysis, risk levels, and mitigation actions.
Findings may employ the CVSS score or other defined risk score. There is no requirement by CREST to use a single methodology for every engagement.
What Should You Know About CREST Penetration Testing in the Philippines?
Organizations in the Philippines rely on digital banking, mobile applications, online payment platforms, and cloud services. These systems can contain vulnerabilities that expose customer data or disrupt business operations. CREST-accredited penetration testing helps organizations identify and validate security weaknesses before attackers exploit them.
Penetration Testing Services and Scope
Testing begins by identifying the systems that need assessment and agreeing on the testing boundaries. In the Philippines, common targets include:
- Web and mobile applications: Banking portals, fintech apps, and customer-facing platforms.
- Payment systems and APIs: Payment processing, API connections, and access controls.
- Networks and infrastructure: Internal networks, Active Directory, and exposed services.
- Cloud environments: Storage permissions, security settings, and access management.
The scope should define the assets to be tested, permitted testing methods, excluded systems, and procedures for handling unexpected issues.
Cost of CREST Penetration Testing
The cost of CREST penetration testing in the Philippines varies depending on the assessment scope, complexity, and testing depth. Organizations may spend approximately or more for a penetration testing engagement.
- Standard assessments: Approximately US$ 3000 to US$ 8,000for web or mobile applications and small networks.
- Enterprise assessments: Approximately US$ 10,000 to US$ 25,000 or more for complex infrastructure.
- Specialized testing: Approximately US$25,000 or more for red teaming, advanced API testing, and complex cloud environments.
The final cost also depends on manual testing requirements, compliance documentation, reporting, and retesting. These figures are estimates, not official CREST pricing.
Regulatory and Compliance Considerations in the Philippines
Organizations must determine the cybersecurity standards and data privacy regulations for their industry. Financial institutions and companies processing personal information must also note that:
- BSP requirements: BSP-supervised financial institutions must follow applicable technology-risk management and security-testing requirements. The relevant obligations depend on the institution and applicable BSP issuances.
- Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173): Organizations processing personal data must implement reasonable and appropriate organizational, physical, and technical security measures.
Penetration testing can help identify weaknesses in security controls, but it does not by itself establish regulatory compliance. Organizations should confirm their specific obligations with the relevant regulator.
Penetration Testing Reports and Deliverables
After the test, the provider will document the vulnerabilities discovered, their possible effects, and the fixes suggested. Some deliverables include:
- Executive Summary: This will give a summary of the critical risks, findings, and priority issues that need to be remedied.
- Technical Report: This will list the systems affected by the vulnerabilities, evidence of the vulnerabilities, steps to reproduce them, and the fixes that are recommended.
- Risk Ratings: The severity of the vulnerabilities will be assessed through the use of CVSS or other agreed risk rating systems.
- Results of Retesting: This will confirm whether the vulnerabilities have been fixed or not.
What Happens Under CREST-Accredited Penetration Testing in Malaysia?
Malaysia’s cybersecurity framework includes oversight from the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA), CyberSecurity Malaysia, and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). For organizations operating in financial services and other critical sectors, penetration testing helps identify security weaknesses, assess potential attack paths, and strengthen defenses.
Penetration Testing Services and Scope
Testing will be done depending on the systems of the organization, risks associated with the business, and regulations. Some common testing areas include:
- Web and mobile applications: test for flaws related to authentication, access control, and business logic.
- Networks and infrastructure: test for exposed services, internal networks, and obsolete software.
- Cloud environments: test for access controls, configurations, and exposure of data.
- Critical systems: test for any critical systems that are run by financial institutions and designated NCII organizations.
Penetration testing and threat-led testing are two different types of tests conducted in financial institutions.
Cost of Penetration Testing
Penetration testing costs in Malaysia depend on the assessment scope and complexity. Web application testing typically costs around RM 8,000 to RM 25,000. Mobile testing ranges from RM 10,000 to RM 30,000. Red-team engagements can cost approximately RM 50,000 to RM 150,000 or more.
Additional factors include testing depth, reporting requirements, and retesting. These are estimates, not fixed prices for CREST-accredited services.
Regulatory and Compliance Considerations in Malaysia
Organizations must follow the requirements that apply to their sector and the systems they operate. Important considerations include:
- BNM Risk Management in Technology (RMiT) policy: Financial institutions subject to the policy must follow applicable technology-risk management and security-testing requirements. Specific testing obligations depend on the institution and relevant provisions.
- Cyber Security Act 2024: Designated NCII entities must meet applicable cybersecurity risk-management, audit, and reporting obligations.
- Personal Data Protection Act 2010: Organizations covered by the Act must comply with applicable personal-data security requirements.
Penetration testing can help identify gaps in security controls, but it does not automatically establish compliance. Organizations should verify the specific requirements that apply to their operations.
Penetration Testing Reports and Deliverables
Penetration testing usually generates reports that are useful for management to identify risks and for technical teams to fix vulnerabilities.
- Executive summary: Summarizes key risks, business implications, and remediation needs.
- Technical report: Lists systems affected, confirmed vulnerabilities, evidence, and replication procedures.
- Risk rating: Applies CVSS or any other agreed-upon risk rating methodology.
- Remediation guidance: Provides recommendations on how to fix vulnerabilities.
- Re-test report: Shows if the vulnerabilities were fixed, in case of retest.
These findings can be used by organizations for remediation and conducting necessary security assessments. The mapping of findings to BNM or NCII requirements must reflect the applicable requirements.
How Can You Choose a CREST Penetration Testing Provider in Southeast Asia?
Choosing the right penetration testing provider requires careful consideration. Therefore, organizations should assess the provider’s accreditation, technical expertise, data protection practices, and post-testing support rather than focusing on price alone. This approach helps ensure better security and more reliable testing results.
- Verify Accreditation Through the Official CREST Directory: Check the provider’s current status in the official CREST directory. Confirm that its accreditation covers the required service, such as penetration testing or threat-led penetration testing.
- Check Tester Qualifications and Experience: Ask about the assigned team’s experience and certifications, such as CREST Registered Tester (CRT) or CREST Certified Tester (CCT). Confirm whether any testing will be subcontracted.
- Review Testing Methods and Capabilities: Request a sample report to assess the provider’s technical depth. Ensure it can test your relevant systems, including web and mobile applications, APIs, networks, and cloud environments.
- Assess Data Security and Regional Compliance Knowledge: Confirm how the provider protects testing evidence, credentials, and reports.
Additionally, the provider should understand regional regulations. These include Indonesia’s Personal Data Protection Law, the Philippines’ Data Privacy Act, Malaysia’s Personal Data Protection Act, and relevant Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) requirements.
- Confirm Remediation Support and Retesting: Check whether retesting and technical support are included. Agree on the retesting period, deliverables, and any additional costs before the engagement begins.
How Qualysec Is Helping Organizations With CREST-Accredited Penetration Testing in Southeast Asia
Qualysec is a CREST-accredited specialized penetration testing company helping organizations identify security weaknesses across their digital environments. We assess applications, APIs, cloud infrastructure, networks, mobile apps, and AI applications to help you understand potential risks and prioritize remediation.
- Web Application and API Penetration Testing: We test authentication, access controls, business logic, and API security to identify vulnerabilities that could expose your applications and data.
- Mobile Application Security Testing: We assess iOS and Android applications for weaknesses in data storage, authentication, runtime behavior, and communication between components.
- Cloud and Network Penetration Testing: We evaluate AWS, Azure, and GCP environments, along with internal and external networks, to identify misconfigurations, excessive permissions, and potential attack paths.
- AI Application Security Testing: We assess AI-integrated applications for risks such as prompt injection, insecure integrations, and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
- Actionable Reports and Remediation Support: We provide executive summaries, technical findings, risk ratings, reproduction steps, and remediation recommendations to help your team address identified vulnerabilities. Retesting can help verify fixes when included in the engagement.
Our assessments help you understand how vulnerabilities could affect your systems and business operations. Additionally, we check relevant security and compliance requirements, including BNM, BSP, and Indonesian data protection regulations. Since these rules differ across industries and testing scopes, we tailor our services to meet your organization’s needs. Consequently, penetration testing helps identify security gaps and strengthen compliance efforts. However, it cannot guarantee full regulatory compliance.
Conclusion
It is becoming increasingly important for organizations to conduct an analysis of their security weaknesses before hackers take advantage of those security loopholes. Crest penetration testing southeast asia enables organizations to assess their security controls and potential risk points.
Choosing the right provider requires careful evaluation of their penetration testing expertise, report quality, and data security practices. Additionally, consider the remediation support they offer. By assessing these factors, your organization can select a reliable penetration testing partner that meets its security needs.
FAQs
1. What is CREST-accredited penetration testing?
It is penetration testing performed by a provider accredited by CREST, an organization that assesses cybersecurity service providers against defined standards.
2. Is CREST accreditation mandatory for penetration testing in Southeast Asia?
No, CREST accreditation is not universally mandatory. Requirements depend on local regulations, industry rules, and individual organizations.
3. How much does CREST-accredited penetration testing cost?
Costs depend on testing scope, system complexity, required expertise, and engagement duration.
4. How do I verify a CREST-accredited penetration testing company?
Check the provider’s current accreditation and service scope in the official CREST directory.
5. What does a penetration testing report include?
It typically includes verified vulnerabilities, risk ratings, exploitation evidence, and remediation recommendations.
