In the B2B cybersecurity landscape, security is no longer just a technical issue: it has become a strategic asset that must be demonstrated tangibly. Companies in every sector – fintech, manufacturing, healthcare, public administration – are now required to provide documentary evidence of the measures taken to protect infrastructures, data, and applications. This is to satisfy two primary and converging needs:

• Regulatory compliance, with the increase in audits regarding standards such as ISO 27001, NIS2, DORA, SOC 2, and PCI-DSS.
• Stakeholder trust, as they are increasingly attentive to collaborating only with suppliers or partners who demonstrate their security level in black and white.

The problem? Technical reports from activities such as Penetration Tests, Code Reviews, or Vulnerability Assessments are, by definition, confidential. They contain sensitive information that cannot be shared with external auditors, clients, or partners. Yet, it is precisely to these figures that one must provide “showable” proof of the analysis performed.

To bridge this gap between technical confidentiality and strategic transparency, ISGroup has developed an essential service: the Attestation of Execution.

This is a formal document, drafted in both Italian and English, that certifies the execution of technical activities such as Penetration Tests and VAs. While it does not include technical details or vulnerabilities, it is perfect for:

• demonstrating that testing activities have taken place to third parties,
• strengthening the company’s position in audits and tenders,
• supporting reputational marketing on the website.

In the remainder of this article, you will discover why the attestation of execution is a key tool today for combining cybersecurity, compliance, and communication.

What is an Attestation of Execution for a Penetration Test?

The Attestation of Execution for a Penetration Test is an official and public document issued by ISGroup at the end of specific technical security activities, such as:

• Penetration Tests on infrastructures, web applications, or mobile apps
• Vulnerability Assessments at the network, system, or application level
• Manual Code Review of source code
• Retesting activities to verify corrected vulnerabilities

Unlike the technical report, which contains confidential and classified details such as identified vulnerabilities, methodologies used, and proofs of concept, the attestation has a different purpose: to provide formal proof of the activity performed, without revealing sensitive information.

What does the attestation include?

• Type of activity performed (e.g., Penetration Test, VA, Code Review)
• Period during which the analysis was conducted
• References to the general technical scope (e.g., web app, infrastructure, API)
• Date of issue and signature by the ISGroup cybersecurity team
• Clarity on the fact that it does not contain technical details or test results

This document is legally neutral, meaning it does not expose the client to any risk of unauthorized disclosure, and is therefore shareable with third parties: ISO 27001 auditors, NIS2 inspectors, business partners, enterprise clients, investors, etc.

Bilingual, formal, customizable

Every attestation is drafted in two languages: Italian and English, to support international clients or entities operating in multilingual contexts. The format is standardized, clear, and compliant with the auditability criteria required by regulations and security frameworks (e.g., ISO/IEC 27001, DORA, SOC 2, PCI-DSS).

A certificate designed to be visible

Being public, it can be attached to commercial offers, displayed on the company website, or included in documentation for tenders or audits. In short: a cybersecurity certificate that communicates reliability without compromising confidentiality.

What is it really for? Concrete uses in Compliance and Sales

More and more organizations, both public and private, are asking not only to perform a Penetration Test or a Vulnerability Assessment but also to receive a formal certificate of the activity performed. This request arises from concrete and differentiated needs: from regulatory compliance to commercial visibility.

Cybersecurity is not just a technical requirement; it is a strategic element of trust, compliance, and competitiveness. The Attestation of Execution for a Penetration Test or Vulnerability Assessment meets the precise need to demonstrate commitment to cybersecurity without disclosing sensitive information.

Here is when and why the cybersecurity certificate becomes indispensable.

For compliance: audits and regulatory frameworks

More and more companies are subject to international regulations and security frameworks that mandate regular checks on the effectiveness of technical controls. In this scenario, the attestation represents documentary proof useful in the following contexts:

• ISO/IEC 27001 Audit: useful for demonstrating the effectiveness of Annex A control measures (e.g., A.12.6.1, A.18.2).
• NIS2 Compliance: supports the documentation to be presented during ACN inspections or requests from national CSIRTs.
• DORA and PSD2 Verifications: in the financial sector, the certificate strengthens the security posture in regulated activities.
• SOC 2: for SaaS or tech companies, it is useful for Trust Services Criteria audits.
• PCI-DSS: for e-commerce and companies handling payment data, it is useful as evidence in SAQ self-assessments or processes with QSA.

In these cases, the technical report cannot be shared with external auditors for confidentiality reasons. The public certificate issued by ISGroup – bilingual and signed – therefore becomes high-level documentation, recognized and reusable, perfect for satisfying verification requirements without exposing critical details.

In all these cases, the attestation allows you to provide official proof of the execution of activities without having to share confidential technical reports.

For reputation: partners, clients, stakeholders

In the B2B world, demonstrating that you have tested your security is often a competitive advantage. Technology companies, fintechs, e-commerce, and SaaS businesses use our Vulnerability Assessment attestation of execution to:

• attach it to responses in public tenders or bids
• include it in onboarding dossiers with enterprise clients
• publish it on the website as a cybersecurity badge
• show it to partners and stakeholders as proof of cybersecurity

A concrete example: an Italian tech scaleup attached the certificate to a Fortune 500 client’s security questionnaire, winning the selection thanks in part to that simple but powerful document.

Many ISGroup clients request the attestation for non-strictly regulatory purposes, but rather strategic ones:

• International partners: in cross-border contexts, where security is a prerequisite for collaborations or supply chain certifications.
• Enterprise clients: to respond to due diligence questionnaires or requirements in supplier onboarding processes.
• Public tenders and bids: the certificate can be attached as evidence of compliance with security requirements.
• Complex sales (B2B procurement): the attestation conveys trust and credibility during the supplier evaluation phase.
• Publication on the company website: as a “security badge” or proof of cybersecurity, ideal also in sections like “Compliance,” “Trust Center,” or “About Us.”

In these cases, the attestation becomes a reputational marketing tool, useful for differentiating oneself in markets that are increasingly attentive to digital resilience.

Internal needs: board, investors, risk management

Internally as well, the certificate is used by:

• risk managers who include it in governance documentation
• CISOs who must report activities to the board
• startups in the funding phase, who use it as an asset during due diligence

Being able to exhibit an official Penetration Test or VA attestation demonstrates attention to security, responsibility, and organizational maturity.

The attestation is also useful within the organization, for example for:

• Reporting to the Board of Directors: as proof of investment in cybersecurity.
• Due diligence for investors or funds: demonstrates attention to governance and risk management.
• Risk managers and compliance officers: facilitates the documentation of measures taken, in compliance with company policies.

The importance of the right form

The value of the attestation lies not only in the content, but in the form:

• It is bilingual (Italian and English), perfect for international contexts.
• It is neutral, meaning it does not expose the company to information risk.
• It is official and signed by a specialized provider, ISO/IEC 27001 certified.
• It is customized, but structured to be understood by auditors, clients, or non-technical partners.

In short, the attestation of execution is the concrete answer to a common question: “How can we demonstrate that we take security seriously without disclosing sensitive data?”

Differentiating the service: why the ISGroup attestation is worth more

In the cybersecurity market, performing a Penetration Test or a Vulnerability Assessment can seem like a commodity. But real value is not just in the technical activity: it is in the quality, credibility, and documentation that you can produce following the test.

In this sense, the ISGroup Attestation of Execution represents much more than a simple “piece of paper.” It is a document designed to really count, during audits, public tenders, verification with stakeholders, or onboarding processes with an enterprise client.

Here is what makes it superior to the market average.

Craftsmanship and real specialization

ISGroup is not a generalist provider, but an Italian cybersecurity boutique active for over 20 years. Our Ethical Hackers come from the Italian ethical scene active since 1994, and every project is executed manually, without relying exclusively on automatic scanners or standardized processes.

This technical craftsmanship is also reflected in the care of the certificate: every attestation is issued only following a real activity, conducted by experts, not by automated or generative processes.

Included in the service, at no extra cost

While many providers treat the certificate as a paid “optional,” at ISGroup it is included in the service. Whether it is a Penetration Test, a VA, or a Retesting, the bilingual public certificate is always provided to the client at no additional cost.

A way to enhance the client’s investment, allowing them to use the activity performed also in a documentary and strategic key.

Professional and standardized formatting

Every ISGroup certificate is drafted according to a standard compliant for audits:

• Bilingual (Italian/English), useful also in international contexts
• Structured to be easily readable by auditors, clients, or partners
• Free of sensitive details, but with clear references to the activity performed
• Signed by a certified technical contact
• With curated visual elements, ready for use in formal or public contexts

It is not a simple PDF file: it is a document designed to be reused and leveraged.

Certified processes and verifiable reputation

ISGroup operates according to an ISO 9001 quality management system and an ISO/IEC 27001 certified information security system. This means that every activity, including the issuance of the attestation, follows documented, traceable, and verifiable processes.

The certificate is not only “credible” because it is signed by us: it is reliable because it is issued according to a recognized regulatory framework.

A competitive advantage for the client

The result is simple: the ISGroup attestation is an asset that you can use during sales, onboarding, tenders, or audits. It is a competitive lever that confirms your attention to security, supported by a provider with real experience, recognized reputation, and a certified process.

In a market where anyone can claim to have done a pentest, demonstrating it with an authoritative certificate makes the difference.

Best practices for using the attestation effectively

Receiving a Penetration Test or Vulnerability Assessment certificate is only the first step. To obtain the maximum value from this document, it is fundamental to know how to use it correctly in the contexts where it can make a difference: audits, sales, marketing, governance.

Here are the best practices for making the most of your ISGroup attestation of execution.

Where (and how) to publish it

The certificate, being public and free of confidential details, can be:

• Inserted on the company website, for example in the “Security,” “Compliance,” or “Trust Center” section, with a brief description of the test performed.
• Attached to company brochures or presentation materials during events, trade fairs, and meetings with prospects.
• Used in tenders and public bids, as evidence documentation for security requirements.
• Uploaded to supplier onboarding platforms, as formal proof in due diligence processes.

Its professional, bilingual appearance, signed by a certified provider, makes it ready for immediate use in formal contexts.

How to present it in audits

During ISO 27001, NIS2, DORA, or SOC2 audits, the certificate can be presented:

• as supporting documentation for technical verification activities,
• together with the matrix of measures adopted (policies, controls, remediation),
• as an integral part of the security evidence register.

It is particularly useful when it is not possible to share the technical report, but you need to demonstrate the activity performed in an official manner.

When to update it

The certificate lifecycle depends on the frequency of tests:

• It is recommended to renew it at least once a year (minimum frequency recommended by the main standards).
• In case of significant changes to the infrastructure or the release of new features, it is appropriate to perform a new test and obtain an updated certificate.
• After a retesting, it is possible to request a second attestation that confirms the remediation has taken place.

An updated certificate not only demonstrates continuous commitment but also reinforces the perception of the organization’s cyber seriousness and maturity.

Security must be demonstrated, not just declared

In a context where cybersecurity is under the spotlight of regulators, clients, and stakeholders, declaring that you are secure is no longer enough. You need to be able to demonstrate it in an official, transparent, and reusable way.

The Penetration Test or Vulnerability Assessment certificate provided by ISGroup solves exactly this problem: it offers formal and public proof of the testing activity performed, without compromising the technical confidentiality of the detailed report. It is a powerful tool, designed for those who need to meet requirements for:

• regulatory compliance (ISO 27001, NIS2, SOC2, DORA, PCI-DSS),
• commercial reputation (tenders, onboarding, trust),
• governance and risk management (board, investors, internal compliance).

When to request it?

• After every Penetration Test, Code Review, or VA activity
• In view of an audit or a public tender
• When you want to publish a cybersecurity badge on the company website
• At the end of a remediation or retesting process

Do you want to see a real example?

Request a PDF example of our bilingual attestation now, or book a free call with one of our experts to evaluate the format best suited to your needs.

👉 Book a call with ISGroup

With ISGroup, your security has an official voice. And it can be shown to the world, with competence and credibility.

Why clients choose ISGroup: trust is earned in the field

When it comes to cybersecurity, words matter. But concrete results and trust built through field experience matter more. ISGroup is chosen by structured companies, international groups, and public entities that require the highest level of competence, confidentiality, and added value.

Here is what some of our clients say about us:

“High professionalism and great experience in cybersecurity.”
— Stefano Luzi Crivellini, Creactives S.p.A.

“Extremely professional collaboration and ability to clearly identify vulnerabilities and priorities.”
— Emilio Balbi, COOP

“Exhaustive and relevant reports.”
— Tito Valente, CTO & CISO, Hippocrates Holding

“Competence, autonomy, and quality of reports.”
— Giampietro Calabrese, CISO, Add Value

“Access to new markets thanks to the demonstration of security.”
— Alfredo Vittoria, CDO, Prime Service

Every project is approached with a craftsman-like and technical approach, guaranteed by highly specialized internal teams and ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO 9001 certified processes. Our work is not limited to performing tests: we guide companies in demonstrating their security with formal and publishable proof, such as our Attestation of Execution.

With ISGroup, you don’t buy a standard service. You acquire a trusted partner, who speaks the language of security and helps you make it visible, concrete, and convincing.