CREST licenced by the UK Cyber Security Council to award professional titles

10 June 2024

We are delighted to announce that the UK Cyber Security Council (“the Council”) has awarded CREST with Licensed Body status for the Security Testing specialism. This gives cyber professionals the opportunity to achieve Security Testing Chartered and Principal professional titles through CREST. For the first time these professional titles can be achieved through a new assessment method that better supports neuro-inclusivity by eliminating the need for an in person interview.

CREST has engaged extensively with the Council, its members and the practitioner community to develop new and innovative ways to properly assess individuals against the Council’s professional standards. This involved piloting and rigorously assessing a new method that allows an employer attestation in place of an in-person interview.

This move supports the Council’s and CREST’s inclusivity objectives, particularly when it comes to neuro-inclusivity. Providing an alternative to interview will reduce anxiety and increase a candidate’s ability to fully communicate their strengths.

After taking the time to extensively test this inclusive method, CREST, along with the Council, is excited to be able to confidently support this assessment route.

Nick Benson, CREST Chief Executive Officer said: “CREST is delighted to be able to award some of the first professional titles in cyber anywhere in the world. Supporting the professionalisation of the cyber workforce globally is a high priority for us at CREST.

We see real momentum by national authorities in numerous countries to tackle this as a key building block for sector maturity, growth, effective cross-border work and the free movement of talent.

Leading the way in a challenging field is never easy, but we’re very proud of what the Council and CREST have been able to create for our talented community.”

The addition of CREST as a Licensed Body for the Security Testing specialism is part of the Council’s continuing work to introduce a universally recognised professional standard across the cyber industry. Individuals are now able to choose CREST or The Cyber Scheme for their professional title application, regardless of where they obtained their cyber certification.

UK Cyber Security Council Acting CEO, Dr. Claudia Natanson MBE, said: “The UK Cyber Security Council is delighted to welcome CREST as a licensee in Security Testing. CREST is joining the Council in delivering a ground-breaking program, the first of its kind worldwide for the cyber security profession, and we look forward to our ongoing collaboration.”

The Council’s next focus within the Security Testing and other specialisms will be the Practitioner and Associate titles. Once these are complete there will be a full pathway for cyber professionals to progress along. This is key in create the transparency and support needed for routes into the industry, contributing to the reduction in the cyber skills gap and the continual enhancement of the UK’s public and private sector capabilities.

More information about CREST’s professional title application process can be found here: Professional Titles – CREST (crest-approved.org)