Security testing that finds
what others miss
We're a specialist security consultancy focused on realistic adversary simulation and context-driven penetration testing. No checkbox assessments. No generic findings. Just actionable intelligence that matters.
A different kind of
security consultancy
Apex Vector is a specialist startup founded by experienced offensive security professionals who saw a gap in the market: too many security assessments follow a checklist approach that misses real-world attack paths.
We focus on what we do best: red team operations and context-driven penetration testing. Our assessments go beyond ticking compliance boxes. We think like attackers, chain vulnerabilities together, and demonstrate real business impact.
Every engagement is led by individually accredited consultants. Unlike many firms that hold company-level certifications whilst using unqualified staff, we guarantee that every consultant assigned to your project holds recognised industry certifications.
The Industry Problem
Companies can hold accreditations without requiring individual consultants to be certified. Many don't tell you this.
Our Guarantee
Every consultant on your engagement holds industry certifications: OSCP, OSEP, CRTO, CREST CRT. No exceptions.
Real Impact Focus
We chain vulnerabilities to prove actual business impact, not just list theoretical risks from a scanner.
Startup Agility
No bureaucracy, no account managers. Direct access to senior consultants who actually do the work.
Offensive security,
done properly
We offer two core service lines: adversary simulation for organisations wanting to test their defences against realistic attacks, and penetration testing for those requiring thorough technical assessments.
Red Team & Adversary Simulation
Objective-Based Operations
Goal-oriented engagements designed to test specific scenarios, such as accessing sensitive data, compromising critical systems, or testing incident response capabilities.
Full Attack Simulation
End-to-end adversary emulation covering reconnaissance, initial access, persistence, lateral movement, and objective completion, mirroring real threat actors.
Social Engineering
Targeted phishing campaigns, vishing, and pretexting to evaluate your human security layer and test security awareness effectiveness.
Physical Security Testing
Authorised physical intrusion testing to assess building security, access controls, and the effectiveness of security personnel.
Penetration Testing
Penetration testing with an attacker's mindset, not a checkbox exercise. We identify context-dependent vulnerabilities, chain findings to demonstrate real impact, and provide actionable remediation guidance. Suitable for compliance requirements (PCI-DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2) whilst delivering genuine security value.
Web Application Testing
In-depth assessment of web applications covering OWASP Top 10, business logic flaws, authentication issues, and application-specific vulnerabilities.
Infrastructure Testing
Internal and external network assessments focussed on full domain compromise, Active Directory security reviews, and cloud configuration audits (AWS, Azure, GCP).
API & Mobile Testing
Security assessment of REST/GraphQL APIs and mobile applications (iOS/Android), including backend infrastructure and data handling.
What makes our testing different
Findings tailored to your business context and actual risk, not generic scanner output.
We combine vulnerabilities to demonstrate realistic attack paths and true impact.
Manual, creative testing that goes beyond automated scanning and standard methodology.
Clear remediation guidance prioritised by actual exploitability, not theoretical severity.
Proven results
Real outcomes from recent engagements across different sectors.
Client wanted assurance their portal was secure before a product launch.
We found a critical flaw that would have exposed customer financial data. Fixed before go-live.
A previous security firm found almost nothing. The client wanted a second opinion.
We identified four ways an attacker could gain full control of their systems, all missed by the first firm.
Client needed to understand how they would fare against a real-world attacker over time.
We simulated a six-month attack, tested their detection capabilities, and delivered a prioritised improvement plan.
The cost of doing nothing
Security testing isn't an expense; it's insurance against catastrophic loss. Here's what's at stake when vulnerabilities go undetected.
The average cost of a data breach in 2025, including recovery, legal fees, and reputational damage.
Mean ransomware recovery time. At £5,600/minute for enterprise downtime, this adds up quickly.
A £25,000 pentest preventing a single average breach delivers a 340-to-1 return on investment.
Of SMEs that suffer a ransomware attack close their doors within the same year.
Without Testing
- Average ransomware payment: £2M+
Up 500% from 2023, with no guarantee of data recovery
- 84% fail to fully recover after paying
Payment doesn't guarantee restoration of operations
- 75% of customers leave after a breach
Reputational damage often exceeds direct costs
- Regulatory fines up to £17.5M or 4% revenue
GDPR, PCI-DSS, and sector-specific penalties
With Proactive Testing
- 50% fewer security incidents
Organisations with regular testing experience half the incidents
- £1.76M saved per incident
Average savings with proper testing and response strategies
- Compliance requirements satisfied
Meet ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, SOC 2, Cyber Essentials Plus
- Lower cyber insurance premiums
Insurers increasingly require proof of regular testing
The question isn't whether you can afford security testing. It's whether you can afford the alternative.
View Our PackagesEngagement options
Structured packages designed for different security maturity levels and objectives.
Red Team Packages
Silver
3 Month Engagement
Ideal for targetted objectives, budget constraints.
OSINT, target identification
Phishing, external exploitation, credential attacks
Lateral movement, objective completion
- Comprehensive final report
- Executive debrief
- Remediation guidance
Gold
6 Month Engagement
Extended operations for deeper penetration and advanced persistent threat simulation.
Extended OSINT, deep enumeration
Multi-vector attacks, custom payloads
Full domain compromise attempts
- Everything in Silver
- Interim progress reports
- Free retesting
Platinum
12+ Month Continuous
Ongoing adversary simulation providing year-round security validation.
Continuous monitoring, emerging attack surface
Evolving TTPs, new vulnerability exploitation
Advanced scenarios, incident response testing
- Everything in Gold
- Monthly threat briefings
- Purple team workshops
Penetration Testing Packages
Web Application
From 2 days
Comprehensive assessment of web applications including OWASP Top 10 coverage.
Request quote →Infrastructure
From 2 days
Internal/external network testing, Active Directory assessment, and cloud configuration review (AWS, Azure, GCP).
Request quote →API & Mobile
From 2 days
Security assessment of APIs (REST, GraphQL, SOAP) and mobile applications (iOS, Android) including backend testing.
Request quote →All penetration tests include detailed reporting, executive summary, and remediation guidance. Retesting available on request.
Let's discuss your
security requirements
Whether you're looking for red team services, penetration testing, or need advice on which approach suits your organisation, we're here to help.
Response time
We typically respond within 24 hours. For urgent requirements, please call us directly.