Offensive Security for Mid-Sized Companies
Attackers find your vulnerabilities. We find them first.
Germany's offensive security partner for mid-sized companies: pentesting, red teaming and security awareness from a single source — so you know your attack surface before attackers do.
- ISO 27001 & ISO 9001 certified
- Fixed-price quote within 24 hours
- 30+ full-time security experts
Trusted by over 200 companies
Quality & Trust
Certified. Independently audited.
Our quality isn't just claimed — it is annually audited and confirmed by accredited bodies.
ISO/IEC 27001:2022
ISMS Certification
Annual independent audits confirm the highest security standards for protecting your corporate data.
RSMCERT.2025.19 · RSM Cert · valid until 07/2028
IT Security made in Germany
TeleTrusT Quality Seal
IT security from Germany — developed, operated and legally anchored, without foreign dependencies.
Federal Association for IT Security (TeleTrusT e.V.)
ISO 9001:2015
Quality Management
Verified processes ensure consistently high consulting quality — traceable, documented, reproducible.
RSMCERT.2025.18 · RSM Cert · valid until 07/2028
AZAV Accreditation
Government-Recognized Training Provider
Our training courses are eligible for funding through the German Federal Employment Agency or the European Social Fund.
31T0925058 · DEKRA-certified · valid until 10/2030
Contributing to Industry Standards
Top 10 for Large Language Models
Core Team Contributor · 2023
Cyber Risk Management
Contributor · Alliance for Cyber Security
- Security Assessments
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- We know your industry.
- Client Satisfaction
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- Client survey 2025 · 16 ratings.
- Years of Experience
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- Founded 2018 in Gelsenkirchen.
- Experts
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- Full-time employees, no subcontractors.
The Threat Landscape
The question is not if, but when.
Cyberattacks don't just hit large corporations. Every second German company has already been attacked — and half of them notice too late.
NIS-2 affects 30,000 companies
Since October 2024, stricter cybersecurity obligations apply. Management is personally liable — with fines up to EUR 10 million.
USD 4.45M per data breach
The average cost of a data breach rises every year. For German companies, costs are even higher — at USD 4.67 million.
IT skills shortage keeps growing
Over 149,000 open IT positions in Germany. Building in-house security expertise is nearly impossible for mid-sized companies — external partners become a necessity.
Attacks stay undetected for 197 days
On average, nearly 7 months pass before a security incident is detected. During that time, attackers have unrestricted access to your systems and data.
Sources: IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024, Bitkom, Gartner 2024
Services
Our Service Portfolio
From vulnerability assessment to certification — everything from a single source.
Awareness
Live hacking shows, phishing simulations and escape desk — sustainably sensitize your employees.
from EUR 2,500
Offensive Services
Pentests, vulnerability scans and SME assessments — systematically reduce your attack surface.
from EUR 4,500
Consulting
ISMS setup, ISO 27001, NIS-2 compliance — meet regulatory requirements with confidence.
from EUR 3,500
Training
T.I.S.P., e-learning, pentesting fundamentals — build certified expertise.
from EUR 1,800
Why AWARE7
What sets us apart from other providers
Pure awareness platforms don't test systems. Pure consulting firms are too far removed. AWARE7 combines both: we hack your infrastructure and train your employees — tailored to mid-sized companies, personal, without enterprise overhead.
Research and academia as our foundation
Around 20% of our revenue comes from research projects for BSI, BMBF and the EU. We publish CVEs, present at top international conferences and train security professionals as a T.I.S.P. certified training provider. All consultants hold multiple certifications — from ISO 27001 Lead Auditor to OSCP.
Digital sovereignty — no compromises
All data is exclusively stored and processed in Germany — no US cloud providers. No freelancers, no subcontractors in the value chain. All employees are on permanent contracts and uniformly legally bound. Available VS-NfD compliant on request.
Fixed price in 24h — predictable timelines
Within 24 hours you receive a binding fixed-price quote — no hourly rate risk, no additional charges, no surprises. Thanks to our experienced team and standardized processes, you get a clear schedule with a defined start and end date.
Your dedicated contact — always reachable
A personal project manager accompanies you from the initial meeting to the retest. You book appointments directly with your contact person — no ticket systems, no call centers, no rotating consultants. Continuity builds trust.
Who is AWARE7 the right partner for?
Mid-sized companies (50–2,000 employees)
Companies that need real security — without paying for an enterprise-class provider. Fixed price, clear scope, one point of contact.
IT managers & CISOs
Who need to make a convincing case internally — and need a report in boardroom language, not just technical findings.
Regulated industries
Critical infrastructure, healthcare, financial services: NIS-2, ISO 27001, DORA — we know the requirements and deliver evidence that auditors accept.
Contributing to Industry Standards
OWASP · 2023
OWASP Top 10 for Large Language Models
Prof. Dr. Matteo Große-Kampmann as a core team contributor to the world's leading LLM security standard.
BSI · Alliance for Cyber Security
Cyber Risk Management
Prof. Dr. Matteo Große-Kampmann as a contributor to the official BSI handbook for corporate leadership.
How We Work
The PDCA cycle — our quality promise
Every project follows a structured Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle. This is how we guarantee sustainable results and continuous improvement of your security posture.
- Erstgespräch und Bedarfsanalyse
- Bestandsaufnahme Ihrer IT-Landschaft
- Risikobewertung und Priorisierung
- Maßgeschneiderter Projektplan
„The employees I worked with impressed with their flexibility and high level of expertise!“
Hans-Jörg Ehren
Editor · Golem Media GmbH
Industries
We know your industry
Each industry has its own regulations, threat scenarios and compliance requirements. We bring experience from over 500 projects.
Healthcare
Critical infrastructure requirements, patient data protection and BSI compliance for hospitals and healthcare networks.
Financial Services
BAIT, DORA and PCI-DSS compliance. Regular pentests and audits for banks, insurance companies and fintechs.
Critical Infrastructure
BSI IT baseline protection, BSIG §8a and NIS-2 for energy suppliers, water utilities and telecommunications.
Energy Providers
OT/SCADA security, B3S Energy, IEC 62443 and BSIG §8a for utilities, energy companies and grid operators.
Transport & Logistics
Control and signaling technology, B3S Transport and CER directive for rail, airports, ports and logistics.
Public Sector
BSI-compliant security concepts for state and municipal administrations, educational institutions and government agencies.
Manufacturing & Industry
OT security, ICS pentests and production environment protection according to IEC 62443 and VDMA standards.
SMEs & Mid-Market
Pragmatic security solutions for companies with 50 to 2,000 employees. Eligible for funding through AZAV-certified consulting.
Multiple sectors?
Cross-industry regulation — tailored to your needs.
Insights
Knowledge that protects
NIS-2 Directive: What German Companies Need to Know Now
NIS-2 implementation affects thousands of companies in Germany. Which obligations apply, who is affected and how to prepare.
Penetration Testing: Process, Costs and Methods Overview
What does a professional pentest cost? How does it work? A practical guide for IT managers and executives.
Phishing Detection: How to Sustainably Train Your Employees
Why one-time awareness trainings are not enough — and which methods demonstrably reduce phishing click rates.
Our Team
The people behind AWARE7
Founded 2018 in Gelsenkirchen. Over 30 experts. No subcontractors — all full-time employees and certified.
Geschäftsführender Gesellschafter der AWARE7 GmbH mit langjähriger Expertise in Informationssicherheit, Penetrationstesting und IT-Risikomanagement. Absolvent des Masterstudiengangs Internet-Sicherheit an der Westfälischen Hochschule (if(is), Prof. Norbert Pohlmann). Bestseller-Autor im Wiley-VCH Verlag und Lehrbeauftragter der ASW-Akademie. Einschätzungen zu Cybersecurity und digitaler Souveränität erschienen u.a. in Welt am Sonntag, WDR, Deutschlandfunk und Handelsblatt.
10 Publikationen
- Einsatz von elektronischer Verschlüsselung - Hemmnisse für die Wirtschaft (2018)
- Kompass IT-Verschlüsselung - Orientierungshilfen für KMU (2018)
- IT Security Day 2025 - Live Hacking: KI in der Cybersicherheit (2025)
- Live Hacking - Credential Stuffing: Finanzrisiken jenseits Ransomware (2025)
- Keynote: Live Hacking Show - Ein Blick in die Welt der Cyberkriminalität (2025)
- Analyse von Angriffsflächen bei Shared-Hosting-Anbietern (2024)
- Gänsehaut garantiert: Die schaurigsten Funde aus dem Leben eines Pentesters (2022)
- IT Security Zertifizierungen — CISSP, T.I.S.P. & Co (Live-Webinar) (2023)
- Sicherheitsforum Online-Banking — Live Hacking (2021)
- Nipster im Netz und das Ende der Kreidezeit (2017)
M.Sc. Internet-Sicherheit (if(is), Westfälische Hochschule). COO und Prokurist mit Expertise in Informationssicherheitsberatung und Security Awareness. Nachwuchsprofessor für Cyber Security an der FOM Hochschule, CISO-Referent bei der isits AG und Promovend am Graduierteninstitut NRW.
11 Publikationen
- Understanding Regional Filter Lists: Efficacy and Impact (2025)
- Privacy from 5 PM to 6 AM: Tracking and Transparency Mechanisms in the HbbTV Ecosystem (2025)
- A Platform for Physiological and Behavioral Security (2025)
- Different Seas, Different Phishes — Large-Scale Analysis of Phishing Simulations Across Different Industries (2025)
- Exploring the Effects of Cybersecurity Awareness and Decision-Making Under Risk (2024)
- Sharing is Caring: Towards Analyzing Attack Surfaces on Shared Hosting Providers (2024)
- On the Similarity of Web Measurements Under Different Experimental Setups (2023)
- People, Processes, Technology — The Cybersecurity Triad (2023)
- Social Media Scraper im Einsatz (2021)
- Digital Risk Management (DRM) (2020)
- New Work — Die Herausforderungen eines modernen ISMS (2024)
M.Sc. IT-Sicherheit mit über 5 Jahren Erfahrung in offensiver Sicherheitsanalyse. Leitet die Durchführung von Penetrationstests mit Spezialisierung auf Web-Applikationen, Netzwerk-Infrastruktur, Reverse Engineering und Hardware-Sicherheit. Verantwortlich für mehrere Responsible Disclosures.
Dipl.-Math. (WWU Münster) und Promovend am Promotionskolleg NRW (Hochschule Rhein-Waal) mit Forschungsschwerpunkt Phishing-Awareness, Behavioral Security und Nudging in der IT-Sicherheit. Verantwortet den Aufbau und die Pflege von ISMS, leitet interne Audits nach ISO/IEC 27001:2022 und berät als externer ISB in KRITIS-Branchen. Lehrbeauftragter für Communication Security an der Hochschule Rhein-Waal und NIS2-Schulungsleiter bei der isits AG.
3 Publikationen
- Different Seas, Different Phishes — Large-Scale Analysis of Phishing Simulations Across Different Industries (2025)
- Self-promotion with a Chance of Warnings: Exploring Cybersecurity Communication Among Government Institutions on LinkedIn (2024)
- Exploring the Effects of Cybersecurity Awareness and Decision-Making Under Risk (2024)
FAQ
Your questions — our answers
What is a penetration test and why does my company need one?
How much does a penetration test cost?
Is our company affected by the NIS-2 directive — and what do we need to do?
What is the difference between a pentest and a vulnerability scan?
How effective are phishing simulations really?
What certifications and qualifications do your pentesters hold?
Take the first step toward real security.
Over 200 companies already trust our expertise. A confidential initial consultation — 30 minutes that make the difference.
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