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Maintaining a robust cybersecurity posture at all times is a necessity that modern businesses cannot afford to skimp on lest their operations, assets, and workforce become compromised. Constantly being on the lookout for weaknesses in one's IT infrastructure is an integral part of achieving this goal, which is something that VAPT in Singapore helps simplify. Through regular vulnerability assessment and penetration testing, organisations can root out gaps in their defences and evaluate the efficacy of their existing security controls.
Business owners looking to engage this expertise would naturally want to settle for nothing less than a reputable assessment provider. Penetration testers are important for your business because they bring specialised skills to identify vulnerabilities that might otherwise go unnoticed, ensuring your systems are secure and compliant with industry standards. Finding such candidates is generally simple; the challenge is determining what their credentials and certifications mean and if they are the right fit for one's needs and industry. Below, we explore the most popular qualifications and whether they are applicable to your operations.
CREST is one of, if not the most well-regarded accreditation body today, offering recognised organisation- and professional-level accreditations that boast international recognition. Achieving CREST certification is not a one-time step but rather an ongoing process, requiring members to submit their applications yearly and undergo full reassessment every three years.
A Singapore penetration testing company specialising in CREST-certified penetration testing solutions ensures that they will conduct the entire process to the highest technical, ethical, and legal standards possible and follow established best practices in all key areas. These services will also be carried out by highly trained and established cybersecurity professionals with up to 10,000 hours of experience.
For 'typical' penetration testing needs, CREST is an essential certification to insist on as it offers full confidence that the organisation's network will be tested by processes considered as the industry's gold standard.
Companies dealing with payment card processing must be compliant with Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standards (DSS) to conduct their operations. This specialised penetration testing is designed to regulate the security of companies that handle sensitive payment data by evaluating their cardholder data environment and all systems or networks that connect to it. Additionally, any isolated systems from their internal applications and infrastructure as well as external systems will also be tested.
CREST STAR, a specialised accreditation catered towards companies that provide red teaming services, outlines a comprehensive set of best practices, standards, and guidelines for red teaming exercises. This concept refers to a simulated attack carried out by a group of ethical hackers (the "red team") to identify vulnerabilities in security systems.
The practice goes a step above typical vulnerability assessments or penetration testing by adopting the mindset of an adversary and mimicking their TTPs to expose weaknesses that could be exploited in actual attacks, enabling organisations to further strengthen their defences. In order to become certified in STAR penetration testing, companies must first be CREST-accredited and employ at least one consultant who bears an active CREST-certified Infrastructure Tester qualification.
CBEST is a specialist accreditation administered by CREST in cooperation with the Bank of England that provides a robust framework for evaluating and improving the cybersecurity posture of organisations in the financial sector. Unlike traditional penetration testing, CBEST encompasses a wider-ranging and holistic scope that covers technology, people, and processes and prioritises taking a threat intelligence-led approach. Overall, the endorsement of the CBEST framework certifies that a company spares no effort in fortifying its cyber resilience, adheres to industry standards, and meets all regulatory compliance requirements, significantly enhancing its credibility in the financial landscape.
There are a couple of penetration testing certifications and accreditations that organisations should insist on regardless of the nature of their business, and many other specialist ones that are designed to meet advanced needs and specific industry requirements. Hopefully, this introduction has provided a clearer view of vulnerability assessments and penetration testing and that it helps you narrow down which is best for your ongoing vulnerability management programme.
To get started with CREST-certified penetration testing today, look no further than Group8. As the industry leader in offensive-inspired cyber defence solutions, our expertise guarantees comprehensive protection for your digital assets so you can focus on growing your business. To learn more about our services and products developed in-house, feel free to contact us at hello@group8.co today.