Maximizing resilience in a dynamic threat landscape
As organizations strive to keep pace with rapid technological change, traditional security approaches are increasingly falling short. The webinar, “From Gaps to Gains: Driving Results with Continuous Offensive Security”, brought together NCC Group experts to explore how continuous assurance and testing is reshaping cyber security practices for the modern era.
Drawing on insights from technical, strategic, and operational experience, the session mapped out a proactive approach to security. This approach closes gaps, drives business value, and leverages the latest advances in automation and artificial intelligence.
We’ve summed up the presentation and hope you use these takeaways to consider offensive security strategies for your organization.
1. Why traditional security falls short
Periodic penetration testing and point-in-time assessments can no longer keep up with fast-moving development cycles and evolving threats.
As highlighted by Jacobo Ros, Global VP of Technical Assurance Services at NCC Group,
“Continuous assurance is about constantly detecting potential risks and reacting promptly to mitigate them.”
Traditional methods often leave organizations exposed between tests, especially as manual releases and configuration changes go live without thorough validation. The panel agreed: compliance alone is not enough. Security must be embedded throughout the development lifecycle.
Key takeaways:
- Periodic testing creates gaps in coverage and delays remediation.
- Security should be integrated from the ground up, not bolted on at the end.
- Continuous assurance delivers real-time visibility and faster response to threats.
2. Closing the gap: Continuous security testing in practice
Continuous security is about reducing dwell time and exposure by reassessing environments as often as possible.
Donald Ward, Principal Solutions Architect, emphasized the importance of prioritizing critical assets and tailoring security efforts to real business risks, adding,
“You can only really reduce exposure by reassessing your environment as often as possible and making sure you’re prioritizing the critical assets and services of your business. It’s about focusing on the actual reality of what you’re exposed to.”
During the webinar the panel discussed how continuous assurance supports compliance, audit readiness, and supply chain trust. This demonstrates active protection to clients and regulators alike.
Key takeaways:
- Real-time risk monitoring and automation streamline security management.
- Continuous testing fosters a culture of security and reduces manual effort over time.
- Proactive risk management enables organizations to fix vulnerabilities as they arise, not months later.
3. From cost to value: Demonstrating business impact
Transitioning from traditional security to continuous assurance is not just about reducing risk. The other main benefit comes from driving measurable business value. The experts advised establishing baselines and metrics, such as mean time to discover and respond, to justify investment and demonstrate improvement.
Continuous security enables more efficient development, faster releases, and enhanced market reputation.
As Duncan McDonald, Director, Regional UK Technical Assurance Services, noted,
“AI can facilitate and automate security actions, but human expertise remains crucial for effective security practices.”
Key takeaways:
- Use metrics to quantify the value of continuous security.
- Continuous assurance supports operational efficiency and business agility.
- Security maturity enhances trust with clients, partners, and regulators.
4. Integrating AI: Streamlining security processes
AI is increasingly being used to automate risk assessment and streamline security actions. The panel cautioned that while AI can enhance decision making, it is not a substitute for human expertise. Security teams must ensure that AI is deployed within robust guardrails and frameworks.
Jacobo Ros emphasized,
“AI is a critical element, but we make sure to take it with the right controls.”
Key takeaways:
- AI enables faster, more efficient risk detection and response.
- Human oversight remains essential to interpret and act on AI-driven insights.
- Start small, build trust in AI outputs, and scale responsibly.
5. Supply chain trust and continuous assurance
With supply chain breaches on the rise, continuous security provides ongoing assurance that partners and providers meet required standards. Organizations are increasingly asked to demonstrate their security posture, not just in words, but in action.
Duncan McDonald reminded,
“Demonstrating active protection in the supply chain is absolutely paramount. Continuous assurance helps organizations show they’re doing everything they can to protect clients and partners.”
Key takeaways:
- Continuous assurance strengthens supply chain resilience.
- Ongoing evidence of security controls is becoming a business enabler.
- Agile security practices help organizations adapt to evolving regulations and client expectations.
The experts' advice on starting your continuous security journey
The panel offered five final, key points of advice for organizations beginning their transition:
- Start small and automate what you can.
- Integrate security into core processes from the outset.
- Build a culture of shared responsibility. Security is everyone’s problem.
- Scope initiatives to critical assets and scale up as resources allow.
- Monitor benefits and track improvements over time.
As Jacobo Ros advised,
“Build security into your daily workflows from the very beginning and make it a shared responsibility across all teams. Start small, refine your approach, and let security become a seamless part of your organization.”
Conclusion:
Continuous testing is not just a technical upgrade; it’s a strategic shift. By embedding security into every layer of development and operations, organizations can reduce risk, drive value, and build trust across their supply chains.
NCC Group’s continuous security solutions combine deep technical expertise with leading technologies, enabling clients to stay ahead of threats and deliver with confidence.
Take the next step towards resilient security.
Discover how NCC Group can help you drive results with Continuous Security.
Live Q&A highlights
A: Focus on critical features and high-risk areas. Integrate security gradually into development steps, balancing automated and manual testing. Tailor approaches to your organization’s needs and objectives.
Our experts
From the Gaps to Gains: Driving Results with Continuous Offensive Security webinar:
Global VP of Technical Assurance Services | NCC Group
Jacobo Ros leads multidisciplinary teams delivering advanced offensive security capabilities that redefine how organizations secure their digital ecosystems. With a passion for translating complex technical insights into strategic advantage, Jacobo champions next-generation assurance models that enable clients to stay ahead of fast-moving adversaries and emerging technologies.
Director, Regional UK Technical Assurance Services | NCC Group
Duncan McDonald is an experienced cyber security leader known for driving innovation, aligning security with business goals, and building high-performing teams that deliver lasting impact. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec) and a Chartered Cyber Security Manager accredited by the UK Cyber Security Council, he brings deep expertise in strategic risk management, operational resilience, and the delivery of cyber security services across international markets.
Principal Solutions Architect | NCC Group
With 20 years of experience in IT and Security, Donald Ward now focuses on helping organizations understand and manage cyber security as it relates to business risks. Don is known for his ability to bridge technical expertise with business priorities, delivering resilient security solutions that support transformation, compliance, and long-term protection.