Pen Test Pitfalls: What Banks Miss When Skipping VAPT (and How to Do It Right)

What Is VAPT in Financial Services?

Think of a Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Test (VAPT) like a stress test for your security. Skip it—or do it poorly—and it’s like driving blind. Unfortunately, many treat VAPT as a quarterly checkbox. That’s dangerous.

Aligning VAPT with DORA Compliance 

The evolving EU regulation DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act), now in effect as of mid‑January 2025, is reshaping how financial institutions handle cyber risk. Firms are investing in threat-led penetration testing (TLPT)—simulating real-world attacks—for incident preparedness, resilience testing, and third‑party risk oversight (Ref: TechRadar+1.)

Why Skipping or Rushing VAPT Is Risky

Static, infrequent tests never fully reflect adversaries’ tactics. But threat-led approaches, especially in line with DORA mandates, sharpen defense. Skipping this isn’t just risky; it may leave you out of compliance.

Atmos Secure’s Tailored VAPT Approach

Atmos Secure’s VAPT service offers custom-tailored, threat-led testing—built around your actual environment and workflows. Think of it as an intelligent “fire drill” for your systems, geared to DORA’s rigorous standards.

Closing Thought

If a test isn’t mimicking live scenarios, it’s not giving you the full picture—or peace of mind. Want to gear your VAPT toward regulatory resilience and real‑world relevance? I’ve got ideas.