Penetration Testing for the Australian Government & Public Sector
Australia's public sector is undergoing a profound digital transformation, creating new and innovative ways to deliver essential services to citizens. The foundation of this transformation is public trust. Every digital interaction, from lodging a tax return to accessing health records or applying for a permit, depends on the absolute security and integrity of government systems.
As agencies embrace cloud technology and modern applications, they also face sophisticated and persistent cyber threats. Lean Security provides specialised penetration testing services to help government departments manage these risks, protect sensitive data, and deliver secure, resilient, and trusted services to the Australian public.
The Public Sector Attack Surface: A High-Stakes Environment
Government agencies are one of the most targeted sectors, facing threats that are unique in their motivation and sophistication.
Protecting Sensitive Citizen Data: Government departments are custodians of the nation's most sensitive Personally Identifiable Information (PII). A data breach can erode public trust, expose citizens to fraud, and have significant political consequences.
Securing Critical National Services: The disruption of essential services—whether in transport, revenue, health, or defence—poses a direct risk to the public and the functioning of the economy. Ransomware and denial-of-service attacks are a constant threat.
Countering Sophisticated Adversaries: Public sector systems are actively targeted by state-sponsored actors seeking to conduct espionage, as well as by politically motivated hacktivists aiming to cause disruption or spread disinformation.
Mandatory Compliance & Assurance: Australian government agencies operate under strict security mandates. Demonstrating compliance with the Australian Government Information Security Manual (ISM) and the Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF) is not optional; it is a core requirement of governance.
A Rigorous Approach to Public Sector Security Assurance
Our testing methodology is designed to provide the high level of assurance required by government, aligning with federal and state-level security frameworks.
1. Digital Service & Application Testing We conduct comprehensive penetration testing on new citizen-facing portals, web applications, and internal systems. We identify vulnerabilities before services go live, ensuring they are secure, resilient, and ready for public use.
2. Cloud Security & IRAP Alignment As agencies move to the cloud, we provide in-depth security assessments of your AWS, Azure, and other cloud environments. Our testing methodologies align with the principles of the Infosec Registered Assessors Program (IRAP), helping you validate the security of your cloud deployments against Australian government standards.
3. Internal Network & Insider Threat Simulation We test the security of your internal networks from the perspective of both a malicious insider and an external attacker who has breached the perimeter. This helps identify vulnerabilities that could lead to privilege escalation and unauthorised access to sensitive data.
4. Compliance-Driven Penetration Testing Our engagements are scoped to directly address your compliance needs. We provide the detailed reports and technical evidence required to satisfy ISM and PSPF audit requirements, giving you and your stakeholders confidence in your security posture.
A Trusted Partner for the Australian Public Sector
We understand the unique context of government operations—the need for accountability, the importance of public trust, and the complexity of the threat landscape. We are committed to working as a discreet and professional partner to help you achieve your security objectives.
The security of public services requires specialist expertise. Contact us today for a confidential discussion on how we can help your agency meet its security and compliance goals.