NIST SP 800-115, the Technical Guide to Information Security Testing and Assessment, is the methodology most US compliance frameworks — from CMMC to FedRAMP to FFIEC — implicitly point back to when they talk about "appropriate" security testing. Testing that follows NIST's phased approach and maps to the Cybersecurity Framework gives you a defensible, portable evidence base almost any auditor or examiner recognises.
We follow SP 800-115's planning, discovery, attack and reporting phases, and map findings to the relevant NIST Cybersecurity Framework functions — Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover — so the same engagement produces evidence portable across whichever specific framework you are ultimately answering to.
Why it matters
Most US regulations and frameworks do not invent their own testing methodology — they defer to NIST, directly or indirectly. Testing built on SP 800-115 from the start means you are not rebuilding your evidence base every time a new compliance requirement lands on your desk.
What we test
- Network penetration testing (SP 800-115 methodology)
- Application & API penetration testing
- Cloud configuration review
- NIST Cybersecurity Framework function mapping
- Vulnerability management process review
- Post-remediation retest
Common vulnerabilities we uncover
- Testing not documented against a recognised, defensible methodology
- Findings with no mapping to a compliance framework an auditor recognises
- No repeatable testing process across annual engagements
- Gaps in Detect and Respond capability, not just Protect
- Evidence that does not transfer cleanly between compliance obligations
- No retest evidence proving remediation actually happened
Our methodology
- Scoping & rules of engagement. We agree objectives, targets and boundaries for your nist-aligned 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 run testing through NIST SP 800-115's defined phases — planning, discovery, attack, and reporting — across your network, application and cloud environment, and map every finding to the Cybersecurity Framework function it relates to, producing a report that reads clearly whether the auditor on the other end is looking for CMMC, FedRAMP, FFIEC or general due diligence.
When you need this engagement
- You need a defensible, methodology-driven baseline before a specific framework applies
- You are answering to multiple frameworks and want one portable evidence base
- A customer or partner has asked for testing "aligned to NIST" without naming a specific standard
- You are building a security program from the ground up
- Your current testing has no documented methodology an auditor can evaluate
What you receive
- Penetration test report following SP 800-115 phases
- NIST Cybersecurity Framework function mapping
- Vulnerability management process review
- Prioritised remediation roadmap
- Portable evidence usable across multiple frameworks
- Free retest after remediation
What’s included in your report
Every nist-aligned 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
NIST SP 800-115
NIST Cybersecurity Framework
NIST SP 800-53
Outcomes you can expect
After your nist-aligned 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 nist-aligned 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 nist-aligned 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
NIST-Aligned Penetration Testing is frequently scoped alongside our other offensive-security services for broader coverage. Explore related engagements that complement it:
- CMMC Penetration Testing — CMMC Level 2 penetration testing mapped to NIST SP 800-171 — the technical evidence defense contractors…
- FedRAMP Penetration Testing — FedRAMP penetration testing aligned to CSP guidance — the technical evidence cloud service providers need for…
- Internal Network Penetration Testing — Internal network penetration testing — lateral movement, privilege escalation and segmentation review from an assumed-breach position…
How much does NIST-Aligned Penetration Testing cost?
Every nist-aligned 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 nist-aligned 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
What is NIST SP 800-115?
It is NIST's Technical Guide to Information Security Testing and Assessment — a phased methodology (planning, discovery, attack, reporting) that most US compliance frameworks implicitly defer to when they require "appropriate" security testing.
Is this a specific compliance requirement or a methodology?
A methodology. NIST-aligned testing is not itself a certification, but it produces evidence that maps cleanly onto frameworks like CMMC, FedRAMP and FFIEC that reference NIST standards directly.
Can this evidence be reused for multiple frameworks?
Yes — that portability is the main advantage. The same engagement, mapped to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, typically supports several different compliance obligations at once.
Who is this for if we do not have a specific framework yet?
Organisations building a security program before a specific regulation applies, or answering a customer's request for "NIST-aligned" testing without a named standard, get a defensible baseline either way.