NIST Penetration Testing
Meet Federal Standards. Secure Your ATO.
Specialized Penetration Testing executed according to NIST SP 800-115. We provide the rigorous validation required for FISMA, FedRAMP, and CMMC compliance.
When working with the federal government, standard security testing isn’t enough. You need a methodology that aligns strictly with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines. Whether its for FISMA, FedRAMP, or CMMC, our NIST Penetration Testing services provide the detailed evidence, Risk Assessment Reports (SAR), and POAM needed to satisfy Authorizing Officials (AO).
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See What Our Clients Are Saying
Our clients consistently share that our collaborative partnership and transparent communication help them build stronger security programs.
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HAVEN6 has become our go-to partner for serious cloud security and penetration testing.
They’ve helped our clients harden AWS and Azure configurations, identify risky misconfigurations, and validate issues through focused penetration testing on networks, web apps, and APIs.
Ramin Lamei
TechCompass
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We have enjoyed working with HAVEN6. They were able to help us on some long-term agreements for pen testing.
Their personnel and management are easy to work with.
We look forward to our next project with them!
Joshua Weathers
Sugpiat Defense
What Requires NIST Penetration Testing?
This testing is mandatory for any system connecting to or processing data for the US Government:
FISMA Compliance
Federal agencies must conduct annual testing to maintain their Authority to Operate (ATO). May add vulnerability scans and control assessments.
NIST SP 800-53 (CA-8)
Explicitly requires independent penetration testing as part of the continuous monitoring strategy for High and Moderate impact systems.
NIST SP 800-171 (3.12.1)
Requires government contractors to “periodically assess the security controls in organizational systems.” Not a one-time checkbox.
CMMC Level 2+
Defense contractors (DIB) must undergo independent penetration testing to certify their organization at Level 2 (Advanced) and above.
FedRAMP
Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) seeking authorization must undergo rigorous penetration testing by a 3PAO to validate their cloud stack.
Types of NIST Assessments We Perform
Our penetration testing service offerings span a vast number of competencies, so we cover the full scope required by the Assessment Cases.
| Test Type | Description |
| Network Penetration Testing | Validate your boundary protection (SC-7) and internal defense-in-depth strategies. |
| Web App Penetration Testing | Secure government-facing and internal SaaS applications against logic flaws and injection attacks (SI-10). |
| Cloud Penetration Testing | Validate the security of your cloud authorization boundary, specifically for FedRAMP and FISMA Low/Moderate/High systems. |
| API Penetration Testing | Secure the hidden data layer that connects federal agencies and databases. |
| Mobile Application Testing | Ensure that mobile apps used by field agents or staff do not leak sensitive data or CUI (AC-19). |
| Wireless Penetration Testing | Verify that your wireless perimeter is strictly controlled and isolated (AC-18). |
| SCADA & ICS Penetration Testing | Protect critical infrastructure and Operational Technology (OT) in alignment with NIST SP 800-82. |
| IoT & Embedded Device Testing | Secure the edge of your network, including smart sensors, cameras, and biometric readers. |
| AI/ML Penetration Testing | Secure emerging Artificial Intelligence models against adversarial attacks in alignment with the NIST AI RMF. |
What Our NIST Pentest Service Includes
Our methodology is mapped directly to NIST SP 800-115.
Audit Ready NIST-Aligned Deliverables
Receive what you need from our NIST penetration testing service: SAR, POA&M, control mapping, an executive briefing, and more.
Security Assessment Report (SAR)
A formal report formatted to federal standards, detailing the methodology, findings, and risk ratings.
POAM Support
Technical details to help you populate your Plan of Action and Milestones (POAM)Â for remediation tracking.
Control Mapping Matrix
A spreadsheet linking every vulnerability found to the specific NIST 800-53 control it violates.
Executive Briefing
A summary presentation for the Authorizing Official (AO), Management, C-Suite, or Board of Directors.
NIST Penetration Testing Certifications
Our team holds industry-recognized certifications that reflect hands-on expertise across offensive security, cloud, incident response, and compliance.
Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN)
GIAC Cloud Penetration Tester (GCPN)
GIAC Cloud Penetration Tester (GCPN)
CompTIA Security+, Network+, A+, Pentest+
GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CCP)
Microsoft AZ-900, SC-900
Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Burp Suite Certified Practitioner (Apprentice)
Practical Network Penetration Tester (PNPT)
Web App Penetration Tester (eWPT)
Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
Palo Alto PSE Certifications
Why Choose Us for NIST Penetration Testing?
Clients choose us because we deliver audit-ready reports, exact evidence mapping, zero false positives, and more.
US-Based Team
All our testers are US Citizens, located on US soil. We understand the importance and sensitivity of handling CUI and FCI data.
Clearance Ready
We have team members with top secret clearance who are capable of working in sensitive or cleared environments, if required.
Remediation Guidance
We don’t just find the bugs; we provide you with the specific configuration changes needed to satisfy the specific NIST control.
Secure Government Data.
Partner with the experts who understand NIST and federal compliance.
NIST Pen Testing: FAQ
Learn more information about the most frequently asked questions
What is NIST Penetration Testing?
NIST Penetration Testing is a security assessment performed in strict accordance with NIST Special Publication 800-115 (“Technical Guide to Information Security Testing and Assessment”).
Unlike a generic commercial pentest, a NIST-aligned test focuses on the specific security controls mandated by the federal government. It is a four-phase process (Planning, Discovery, Attack, Reporting) designed to validate the CA-8 (Security Assessment) control family found in NIST SP 800-53. It is not just about finding bugs; it is about verifying that the security controls protecting federal data are operating effectively.
Standard Pentest vs. NIST Pentest?
A standard pentest focuses on finding bugs. A NIST Pentest focuses on validating controls. We map our findings to the specific NIST 800-53 control families (like AC, SC, SI) to help you prove compliance to an auditor.
Which NIST publication governs penetration testing?
NIST SP 800-115Â (“Technical Guide to Information Security Testing and Assessment”) is the primary standard we follow. It outlines the methodology for executing the test.
Is penetration testing required for CMMC?
Yes. For CMMC Level 2 (Advanced) and Level 3 (Expert), independent penetration testing is a mandatory assessment procedure. You cannot achieve certification without it.
How often is NIST Penetration Testing required?
Under FISMA and most continuous monitoring strategies, penetration testing is required Annually or whenever there is a Significant Change to the system (e.g., major upgrade, new architecture).
Do you help with the POAM (Plan of Action and Milestones)?
Yes. While we cannot fix the issues for you (to maintain independence), we provide the exact technical descriptions and remediation steps required to fill out your POAM document effectively.
Can you test cloud environments (FedRAMP)?
Do you check for Social Engineering?
NIST 800-53 Control AT-2 covers Awareness Training. We can perform Phishing assessments as part of a more expansive NIST engagement to validate the effectiveness of that training, if needed.
What is the Authorization Boundary?
The Authorization Boundary defines exactly what is in scope for the government system. Before we start testing, we work with you to clearly define this boundary to ensure we are testing all relevant components (and not testing systems that are out of scope).