Pentest People has announced the launch of GuardNest, the next generation of its cybersecurity platform previously known as SecurePortal.
The new GuardNest platform is described by Pentest People as a significant step forward in both design and functionality for organisations managing cybersecurity. It is the result of ongoing collaboration with WorkNest, with whom Pentest People shares a focus on clarity, collaboration and regulatory compliance in their service offerings.
Platform redesign
According to the company, GuardNest has been "completely re-engineered to reflect how people actually use security tools in their day-to-day work". Feedback from users, extensive research, and UX testing led to the identification of more than sixty usability challenges in previous versions.
The redesigned platform aims to provide a cleaner and more intuitive experience, intended to help users focus on efficiently identifying and resolving vulnerabilities. Functional improvements are also aimed at helping teams save time by integrating workflows between assessments, vulnerabilities, and remediation.
"From the moment users log in, they'll notice an entirely refreshed look and feel. Navigation has been rebuilt to prioritise the most used areas, such as the dashboard, assessments, and vulnerabilities, allowing faster access to key features. Dashboards now present information more clearly, with reduced clutter and improved visual hierarchy, while onboarding has been simplified through guided steps, contextual prompts, and progress tracking that make it easier for new users to get up and running," comments Harry Alderton, Product Owner at Pentest People.
Among the core user experience changes are streamlined navigation, clearer dashboards, and a revised onboarding process featuring contextual prompts and step-by-step progress guidance. These changes are intended to make the platform easier for both new and existing users to access and understand.
Accessibility and workflows
Pentest People has prioritised accessibility in the development of GuardNest. The platform now meets WCAG 2.1 standards, with enhanced colour contrast, refined typography, and consistent layouts. According to the company, this should create "a more inclusive experience for everyone".
Another notable update includes the full integration of workflows between different areas of the platform. This reduces the number of steps required to act on findings, which is expected to result in operational efficiency for security and IT teams dealing with multiple, concurrent priorities.
Technical advancements
Behind the user-facing redesign, the underlying platform architecture of GuardNest has also been updated. Pentest People states that the new architecture enables faster delivery of features, easier integration with other tools, and greater opportunities for customisation according to client requirements.
With the platform's update, Pentest People highlights its commitment to making security management more straightforward as well as facilitating collaboration and compliance across client organisations.
Continued collaboration
The launch of GuardNest is also described as a part of the strengthening partnership between Pentest People and WorkNest, which is a provider of compliance, HR, and health and safety services. This partnership is intended to further improve the platform's design and operational effectiveness for end-users.
Pentest People, which joined the WorkNest Group in September 2024, specialises in consultant-led penetration testing and continuous vulnerability management. The organisation reports holding multiple accreditations, including CREST, CHECK Service Provider, ISO 9001, ISO 27001, as well as Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus certifications. This range of certifications is described by the company as ensuring recognised service delivery across public and private sector organisations.
With the roll-out of GuardNest, Pentest People aims to provide clients with a security management platform designed around their operational needs, reflecting feedback from both clients and internal testing over recent years.
