What makes
phew different
At phew, we believe that better security and stronger assurance start with accessible advice, and a push for higher standards across the industry.
We are a specialist practice built for teams running high-consequence applications, navigating compliance requirements, and who care about what quality testing looks like.
We provide accessibility and clarity in an industry that too often feels like a black box.
Whilst most penetration testing delivers findings, we deliver something more precise: clear, evidence-backed, standards-based assurance you can take to your board, your auditors, and your customers. That’s the difference between testing that ticks a box and testing that actually changes your security posture.
Key Services
Precision pen testing
services that fit
Web application & API specialists
We specialise in web application, API, mobile/native app, and e-commerce penetration testing, undertaken by specialist testers with a deep understanding across all leading languages and frameworks
Network pen testing experts
We are also experts in testing public attack surfaces, private wired and Wi-Fi networks, large Active Directory domains, Citrix and AVD VDI infrastructures, and hybrid Azure, AWS and GCP estates
Services tailored to fit business needs
Whether you're a SaaS startup or a mature multinational, our testing is tailored to suit the needs of your organisation, from highest assurance standards-based testing to budget-friendly essentials only
Pen Testing as a Service (PTaaS)
Sitting between structured penetration testing engagements and Bug Bounty programmes is PTaaS. A flexible engagement that allows you to spread your pen testing over time and across a diverse range of vetted testers, with a testing frequency and budget to suit. All verified, vetted, and reported by phew's specialists
Bug bounty
Your web facing assets are on the public internet, and a world of hackers are ready to find security weaknesses with them. Supplement your structured penetration testing programme with formalised crowd sourcing of vulnerability knowledge, and leverage continuous discovery and responsible disclosure, triaged and reviewed by phew's experts
Target types
We are certified and experienced in the most comprehensive testing across a wide range of target types, from high-consequence applications to large enterprise networks and domains, for wired and wireless networking
Web applications and portals, APIs, and e-commerce stores
Private LANs
Native web-connected applications
Mobile applications and their APIs
Active Directory, hybrid Entra ID networks
IoT and embedded systems
Public attack surfaces
Internal wired and wireless (Wi-Fi) networks
OT and data control networks
Full service pen testing options
Traditional engagements that provide predictable testing and structured, actionable outputs. Professionally managed and reliably communicated from start to finish, and suitable for all types of organisations
Standards-based testing
Our top-tier pen testing service delivers depth and confidence, performed by certified testers according to globally accepted standards, and providing the highest assurance levels for business-critical applications and systems
FEATURES
- Expert penetration testing for all targets types and sizes
- Reliable, standards-based assurance, ideal for business-critical web applications and systems
- Thorough, structured testing based on globally recognised standards like OWASP ASVS, MASVS, OSSTMM
- Certified, in-house testers with top industry credentials
- The highest level of threat detection and assurance, for peace of mind and return on investment
Essentials testing
We also offer budget-led engagements, testing with reference to OWASP Top 10 and CWE/SANS Top-25, and focusing in priority order on the most common, highest impact vulnerabilities
FEATURES
- OWASP Top 10, CWE/SANS Top 25 focussed testing engagement
- Testing by the same talented, high-trust, testing team to an agreed time and budget
- The ideal testing engagement when cost is a key factor
- Comparable to what most other web app/API pen testers provide
- Actionable reporting outputs for tangible return on a budget-focussed pen testing investment
Continuous, flexible, subscription-style testing
PTaaS
Pen Testing as a Service
On-demand access to expert-led security testing, augmenting a traditional periodic penetration testing programme with the flexibility and availability that modern SaaS teams require
Ideal for web sites, apps, APIs, and e-commerce stores subject to rapid evolution
Leverage a wide range of vetted, experienced, certified testers at a nominated budget and frequency
Quality-assurance provided by phew's leading technical specialists
Comprehensive and actionable reporting across all open vulnerabilities
Community-based testers, researchers, and hackers
Bug bounty
The whole world is out there
Regardless of your structured pen testing programme, bug bounty adds the opportunity to incentivise findings and learn about new vulnerabilities rapidly, as well as providing triage and a structured response to beg bounty prospectors
Crowd-sourced vulnerability discovery
Continuous discovery and reporting
Vetting of findings by phew's experts
Formalised programme with agreed bounties
Encourgaing responsible disclosure
Professional, expert intermediary
Additional services
Beyond pen testing
Leverage our experience and expertise across the wider security landscape of your organisation
Cyber Health Reports
Secure architecture consulting
Okta WIC and CIC architecture and services
Why our customers love phew
Trusted by
Frequently Asked Questions
Penetration testing can be confusing and feel inaccessible.
Here’s a clear breakdown of what matters, so you can choose the right approach and keep moving on your security journey.
How does phew's pen testing differ from other pen testing?
phew is a specialist practice that focusses on providing standards-based assurance rather than just checkbox testing.
Our in-house, certified testers, follow a source code-supported methodology, and provide clear and actionable reporting. Our outputs are something you can take to your board, auditors, and customers, not just a list of findings
What pen testing certifications should I look for when comparing providers?
Look for industry-recognised certifications such as OffSec’s “expert” level certs, especially OSWE for web applications, APIs, and mobile app targets.
For web and mobile applications, testers should have deep experience with OWASP ASVS and MASVS. Certifications matter because they signal rigour, but it’s also important to ask whether testing is done in-house (allowing for consistent quality and expertise) or subcontracted.
Is it advisable to just compare pen testing on price?
Price is a key factor in any business decision, but a cheap test that ultimately misses critical vulnerabilities costs far more than a thorough one. The right question is framed around value: what assurance level do you actually need, and does the engagement deliver it?
phew offers both Standards-based and Essentials tiers so budget doesn’t force a bad trade-off.
What's the difference between Standards-based testing and OWASP Top 10 testing?
Most penetration testing focuses on the OWASP Top 10. That’s a useful baseline, but it only covers common issues.
Our standards-based testing goes further. We audit methodically against frameworks like OWASP ASVS and MASVS to uncover deeper risks, logic flaws, and real-world attack paths. If you need real assurance (and not just best efforts testing) this is the difference.
How long does a pen test take, and what do we need to prepare?
The duration depends on the size and complexity of the target, and the testing methodology used. A straightforward web application or API may only require 3-5 days of testing, while larger, more complex targets can take many weeks.
phew will carefully scope and right-size the engagement with you upfront so there are no surprises on timing or cost. To get started on testing, you’ll typically need to provide access credentials and test accounts and, where applicable, access to your source code and IaC repositories.
Better security starts here
Contact our experienced, professional team, and step up your security now
