UK Cyber Security Council licences CREST to award professional titles

Released: 10 June 2024

The UK Cyber Security Council (“the Council”) has awarded Licensed Body status to CREST International (“CREST”) for the Security Testing specialism. This provides an additional opportunity for cyber professionals to attain Chartered and Principal professional titles for security testing.

CREST, the international not-for-profit representing the global cyber security industry, has engaged extensively with the Council, its members and the community to develop innovative ways to assess individuals against the Council’s Standard of Professional Competence and Commitment. This has involved piloting and rigorously assessing a method that no longer requires an interview for most applicants in security testing.

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.

As announced at NCSC’s flagship event, CyberUK, in May 2024, HM Government has pledged  support for embedding the Council’s standards across its cyber workforce by 2025. The Government Security Career Framework and government cyber training will be mapped to the Council’s professional titles, in turn enabling government staff to be recognised as highly skilled professionals and to join a community of supportive, committed professionals.

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

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 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.”

Dr. Claudia Natanson MBE, UK Cyber Security Council Acting CEO, 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.”

To learn more about routes into the cyber industry, please visit the UK Cyber Security Council’s website: Cyber security careers: a route map through the 16 cyber security specialisms (ukcybersecuritycouncil.org.uk)

About the UK Cyber Security Council

The UK Cyber Security Council is the self-regulatory body for the UK’s cyber security profession. It develops, promotes and stewards nationally recognised standards for cyber security in support of the UK Government’s National Cyber Security Strategy to make the UK the safest place to live and work online.

To find out more, visit their website at www.ukcybersecuritycouncil.org.uk

About CREST

CREST is an international not-for-profit, representing the global cyber security industry. Its mission is to build capacity, capability, consistency and collaboration in the global cyber security industry through services that nurture, measure and enhance the performance of individuals and organisations.

CREST has accredited over 380 member companies, operating across dozens of countries, and certifies thousands of professionals worldwide. It works with governments, regulators, academia, training partners, professional bodies and other stakeholders around the world.

CREST members undergo a rigorous quality assurance process and employ competent professionals. Organisations buying their cyber security services from CREST members do so with confidence.

To find out more, visit their website at www.crest-approved.org

For more information contact: Allie Andrews, PRPR, [email protected]