FFIEC's IT Examination Handbook sets the expectations federal and state bank examiners use to evaluate an institution's information security program, and penetration testing is a core part of how examiners expect that program to be validated — independent of your regular vulnerability management activity.
We deliver testing structured around what an FFIEC examination actually reviews.
We scope testing to the systems and networks in your information security program, aligned to FFIEC's expectations around independent testing, and report findings in a format your examiners and board can both use — technical detail for your security team, and a summary your board can review as part of its oversight obligations.
Why it matters
FFIEC examinations carry real regulatory weight for banks and credit unions, and examiners specifically look for evidence of independent testing separate from your internal vulnerability management program. A weak or missing penetration testing program is a recurring finding institutions have to remediate under supervisory pressure.
What we test
- Network penetration testing (examination-aligned scope)
- Application penetration testing
- Independent testing separate from internal vulnerability management
- Social engineering testing (where in scope)
- Board-level reporting preparation
- Examination-ready evidence pack
Common vulnerabilities we uncover
- No independent testing separate from internal vulnerability management
- Findings not reported in a format examiners expect to review
- No board-level summary demonstrating oversight
- Untested changes to core banking or online platforms
- Social engineering exposure among staff
- Prior examination findings not evidenced as remediated
Our methodology
- Scoping & rules of engagement. We agree objectives, targets and boundaries for your ffiec penetration testing, so testing is safe, authorized and focused on what matters to your business.
- Reconnaissance & mapping. We enumerate the full attack surface in scope, building a complete picture before any exploitation begins.
- Manual exploitation. Our senior testers chain vulnerabilities by hand — going far beyond automated scanners — to prove real, demonstrable impact.
- Analysis & reporting. Every finding is triaged, risk-rated with CVSS and written up with a copy-paste reproduction and clear remediation.
- Remediation support & free retest. We support your team through the fixes and retest the remediated issues to confirm they are genuinely closed.
Tools & techniques
We test your network and application environment independently of your internal vulnerability management activity, aligned to FFIEC IT Examination Handbook expectations, and prepare board-level reporting alongside the technical report so your institution can demonstrate oversight, not just testing.
When you need this engagement
- You are a bank or credit union preparing for an FFIEC examination
- An examiner has flagged a prior penetration testing finding
- Your board needs a testing summary it can review for oversight purposes
- You need independent testing separate from internal vulnerability management
- You are launching a new online or mobile banking platform
What you receive
- Network & application penetration test report
- Board-level summary report
- Examination-ready evidence pack
- Social engineering testing results (where in scope)
- Prioritised remediation roadmap
- Free retest after remediation
What’s included in your report
Every ffiec penetration testing engagement concludes with a comprehensive, board-ready report and a working session to walk your team through it. Your report includes:
- An executive summary with overall risk posture for non-technical stakeholders
- Detailed technical findings, each with a step-by-step, copy-paste reproduction
- CVSS v3.1 severity ratings and business-impact context for every issue
- Prioritized, actionable remediation guidance your engineers can apply directly
- A complimentary retest to confirm fixes and update finding status
- A formal attestation letter for customers, auditors and compliance programs
Standards & frameworks
FFIEC IT Examination Handbook
FFIEC Cybersecurity Assessment Tool
Outcomes you can expect
After your ffiec penetration testing, you will have clear, evidence-based visibility into your real security risk — not a scanner’s guesswork. You will know exactly which weaknesses an attacker could exploit, what the business impact would be, and the precise steps to fix them in priority order. Teams use our findings to close critical gaps, satisfy customer and regulator security requirements, and demonstrate due diligence to their board. With a complimentary retest included, you also get documented proof that the issues are genuinely resolved.
Engagement details & logistics
Every ffiec penetration testing starts with a short, no-obligation scoping call to understand your goals, environment and constraints, followed by a fixed-price proposal and a clear statement of work. Most engagements are delivered fully remotely, with on-site work arranged where it genuinely adds value. Throughout testing we maintain an agreed communication cadence and escalate any critical, high-impact finding to you immediately rather than waiting for the final report. All work is performed under a signed NDA with strict data-handling controls, using safe, non-disruptive techniques and carefully coordinated rules of engagement to protect your production systems. On completion you receive your report and a walkthrough session, followed by a complimentary retest once your fixes are in place. Typical engagements are booked one to three weeks in advance, and urgent or pre-deadline testing can often be accommodated — just ask at hi@agentoffense.com.
Why organizations choose AgentOffense
Our ffiec penetration testing is delivered by senior offensive-security engineers who test the way real attackers do — manually, creatively and with a relentless focus on proving genuine, demonstrable impact. Here is what sets our engagements apart:
- Manual, exploit-driven testing that chains vulnerabilities the way a real attacker would, going far beyond what automated scanners can find.
- Reproducible proof for every finding, with copy-paste reproduction steps your engineers can follow and independently verify.
- Honest severity calibration so you invest in fixing what genuinely matters and avoid wasting effort on false positives and noise.
- Clear, business-focused reporting that speaks to engineers and executives alike, tying every issue to real-world impact.
- A complimentary retest included, so you get documented proof that your fixes actually close the attack path.
- Responsible, collaborative delivery with a named point of contact and secure handling of all data throughout the engagement.
Explore related services
FFIEC Penetration Testing is frequently scoped alongside our other offensive-security services for broader coverage. Explore related engagements that complement it:
How much does FFIEC Penetration Testing cost?
Every ffiec penetration testing is scoped and priced individually, so you pay for exactly the coverage you need — with no hidden extras. After a short, no-obligation scoping call we send a fixed-price quote, usually within one business day, with clear deliverables, a firm timeline and a complimentary retest included. The price of your ffiec penetration testing depends on the size and complexity of the target and the depth of testing required, so you always know the cost up front before any work begins.
Get a fixed-price quote
Frequently asked questions
Does FFIEC explicitly require penetration testing?
The FFIEC IT Examination Handbook sets the expectation that institutions validate their security program through independent testing, and examiners routinely treat penetration testing as the way that expectation is evidenced.
Does this need to be separate from our internal vulnerability scanning?
Yes — examiners specifically look for independent testing distinct from your internal vulnerability management activity, which is exactly how we scope engagements.
Do you provide board-level reporting?
Yes, alongside the technical report, so your board can demonstrate the oversight FFIEC examinations expect.
How often should we test?
At least annually, and more frequently around significant changes to core banking, online or mobile platforms.