The PBA certification is designed to validate that a product, system, or service meets defined security principles aligned to NCSC expectations. It moves beyond static compliance by focusing on demonstrable security outcomes, giving customers and stakeholders confidence in the ongoing effectiveness of security controls.

The service applies to:

• Technology products (software, SaaS, platforms)

• Managed services and operational environments

• Systems handling sensitive or regulated data

• Security-critical components within broader architectures

Certification scope is tailored to the defined system boundary, including people, processes, technology, and supporting supply chain elements.

Securlab applies a structured PBA methodology aligned to NCSC guidance and integrated with ISO 27001, ISO 9001, and ISO 17020 principles.

The certification lifecycle includes:

1. Application & Scoping – Definition of system boundaries, assurance claims, and applicable principles

2. Control Mapping & Design Review – Alignment of controls to PBA principles and expected outcomes

3. Evidence Assessment – Review of documented and operational evidence

4. Technical Testing & Validation – Verification that controls operate effectively in practice

5. Assurance Case Development – Structured articulation of how evidence supports security claims

6. Certification Decision

Assessments are structured around core security outcomes, such as:

• Secure design and development practices

• Integrity of the build and deployment environment

• Secure configuration and hardening

• Identity, access control, and least privilege

• Monitoring, detection, and response capability

• Vulnerability and patch management

• Supply chain and dependency assurance

• Transparency and customer communication

Unlike point-in-time certifications, Securlab provides an ongoing assurance model to ensure continued validity between formal certification cycles.

This includes:

• Periodic Assurance Reviews – Scheduled reassessment of key controls and risk areas

• Change Impact Analysis – Evaluation of system changes on the assurance posture

• Delta Testing – Targeted re-testing of modified or high-risk components

• Evidence Refresh Cycles – Regular updates to maintain current and relevant assurance evidence

• Surveillance Activities – Light-touch monitoring aligned to risk and system criticality

All certification and maintenance activities are delivered through Securlab’s proprietary digital platform, designed to streamline assurance, improve transparency, and enhance client experience.

Platform capabilities include:

• Structured Evidence Submission – Guided workflows for uploading and managing assurance artefacts

• Real-Time Assurance Dashboard – Visibility of assurance status, gaps, and progress against principles

• Assurance Case Management – Centralised view of claims, evidence, and validation outcomes

• Automated Notifications & Tasks – Workflow-driven engagement for evidence updates and reviews

• Audit Trail & Traceability – traceability from requirement to evidence to certification decision

• Client Collaboration Interface – Secure interaction between client teams and Securlab assessors

Outputs:

Certified organisations receive:

• Formal NCSC CRTF PBA listing of you product

• A comprehensive assurance report and assurance case summary

• Ongoing assurance status visibility via the Securlab platform

• Eligibility for listing under relevant NCSC CRTF services (subject to NCSC processes)

Benefits

• Demonstrates real-world, outcome-based security assurance

• Aligns with NCSC’s modern assurance expectations

• Moves beyond static compliance to continuous validation

• Enhances trust with customers, regulators, and partners

• Reduces audit burden through structured, reusable evidence

• Provides a scalable model for maintaining assurance over time

Securlab combines deep expertise in cyber assurance, red teaming, and ISO-aligned auditing with a technology-enabled delivery model. Our principles-based approach ensures that certification reflects true security effectiveness, not just documentation. The integration of continuous assurance and our proprietary platform sets a new standard for scalable, transparent, and defensible cyber assurance.

Securlab’s PBA Certification and Continuous Assurance service provides organisations with a credible, future-proof mechanism to demonstrate and maintain cyber resilience.

By combining rigorous independent assessment with ongoing assurance and digital enablement, we deliver confidence that security is not only achieved but sustained