Choosing the right cyber security service provider is essential for any business. But with so many providers, knowing which one to choose can be difficult. That’s why CREST-approved companies offering tangible business benefits are a great option; they have been certified by an independent body to high technical, ethical and legal standards and offer high-quality services.
We often share this quote during our customer catch ups that you must have reliability, transparency and trust established with a security provider.
Before you count your cyber security partners, make sure you can count on them.
What is CREST accreditation?
CREST, Council of Registered Ethical Security Testers, is a non-profit association founded in the UK in 2006. It regulates technical security service markets in several countries, including the UK, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the USA. Lately, CREST has been working on providing global benchmarks, including specific guidance on web applications and mobile applications for the cybersecurity industry. There is no network or systems-based CREST accreditation guidance available yet.
Why using CREST approved provider is important?
CREST-accredited companies provide reliable penetration tests and IT security services to UK businesses seeking to protect their most prized assets. CREST member companies undergo a strict evaluation of their business policies, processes, procedures, and technical information security testing methodologies. Additionally, CREST-qualified individuals must pass professional-level exams to demonstrate their expertise.
CREST accreditation and certification add to the rapport along with raising technical information security processes and industry standards. It also helps consultancies ensure their staff are highly skilled and carry a few thousand hours of experience to form a skill set around penetration testing. CREST-approved companies may or may not have staff with all the certifications under this scheme.
CREST Penetration Testing
This assures service is delivered in line with high technical, ethical, and legal requirements. This also aligns with regulatory requirements for the target organisation or in-scope assets.
At a high level, the following list illustrates the business benefits of using a CREST-certified vendor for penetration testing services:
- CREST-accredited companies have been independently assessed and are required to adhere to high industry standards.
- The CREST accreditation process is independent and robust and is conducted annually, regardless of company size or location.
- A CREST member company is bound by a Code of Conduct and Complaints process for maintaining high standards.
- CREST accreditation processes are available for other disciplines such as threat intelligence, vulnerability assessment, cyber security incident response, and security operations centre (SOC).
CREST Penetration testing services
Cyphere, a CREST-accredited company, offers a wide range of offerings across the IT domain. Click on the following intelligence-led penetration testing services to know more about specific domains and associated penetration tests your organisation can plan around. These detailed pages also cover FAQs, business benefits, common security vulnerabilities and how we are helping organisations across the UK, Europe and the US.
CREST Penetration testing services
Web application penetration testing
Cloud Penetration Testing covers Azure, AWS, Office 365, GCP
Managed Cyber Security Services
In addition to being a CREST member company, we also provide vulnerability assessment and penetration tests such as vulnerability assessment and penetration testing (VAPT) services and security compliance-led exercises related to ISO 27001, PCI DSS, Gambling Commission audit compliance and other regulatory requirements. Other offerings include threat intelligence, data privacy and GRC reviews.
Cyber attacks are not a matter of if, but when. Be prepared.
Box-ticking approach to penetration tests is long gone. We help you identify, analyse and remediate vulnerabilities so you don’t see the same pentest report next time.
Intelligence-led penetration testing
Intelligence-led penetration testing involves combining intelligence-gathering techniques to collect, analyse and prepare attack layouts to be used during intelligence-led penetration tests. It helps identify the most likely attack paths, detect common misconfiguration, exploit known vulnerabilities safely, compromise systems and networks evading detection and advise on fixing security vulnerabilities in a network or application, enabling organisations to detect and mitigate threats proactively.
Why take another step in this direction?
Organisations use these strategies to prepare against cyber incidents, improve threat intelligence measures and ensure the product and service they use is safe. It covers real checks on the cyber incident response process, demonstrates how systems are compromised, defensive controls test, threat intelligence capability tests and identifies weak spots in a computer system or entire organisation.
Penetration tests are an important element of security strategy for businesses looking to know the weak spots in their infrastructure. Cyber security shows effectiveness and maturity when the three pillars, i.e. people, process and technology, work together.
It involves using a combination of intelligence-gathering techniques and attack simulations to identify security vulnerabilities in networks or applications. Companies can use CREST-accredited companies for a reliable service, as they have been certified by an independent body to high technical, ethical and legal standards. Additionally, CREST-qualified individuals must pass professional-level exams to demonstrate their knowledge and skills. Intelligence-led penetration tests combine intelligence-gathering techniques with attack simulations to identify vulnerabilities, check the incident response process and mitigate security threats proactively. With these strategies, organisations are better equipped to secure themselves from cyberattacks while ensuring their products and services remain secure.
Cyphere is amongst the best CREST-accredited companies
Cyphere is an independent, CREST accredited cyber security services company providing high quality, ‘no muss, no fuss’ services with no retest & cancellation fees, free debrief calls and risk remediation plans.
- Cyber security involves financial, reputational and legal implications and requires proactive preparation for the future.
- Cyphere can help assess cyber risks, improve BAU security operations, continuously determine and remediate risks, and update clients with threat intelligence.
- The company provides actionable advice-based guidance without a ‘report and run’ approach to address clients’ cyber risks.
- Cyphere connects IT security compliance such as PCI DSS, GDPR, and ISO 27001 with proactive business approach delivery double benefit to avoid fines and penalties and ensure data protection.
As a CREST member company, we have well-defined policies and inform customers in case of escalation points and complaint procedures.
There are several CREST related topics we have covered extensively you might want to explore:
- Learn about the CREST Defensible Penetration Test (CDPT) and business benefits
- What is a CREST-approved provider, and why choosing a CREST-certified company is important?
- Understanding the CREST accredited penetration testing
- Your guide to CREST vulnerability assessments
- Get to know the CREST penetration testing maturity model
- CREST Certification benefits, cost, OSCP equivalent and other details
- CREST penetration testing maturity model, tools and management guide
Frequently Asked Questions
How to become a CREST-certified company?
CREST-certified companies carry CREST certification after a rigorous process involving reviews around processes, procedures and quality assurance reviews. Companies apply for this CREST accreditation process that is awarded after a review process to CREST member companies valid for one year for a particular region (for instance, UK, Europe, US, Singapore, and Australia).
How do you get Crest certified?
To become CREST Certified professional, one must pass an exam from the certification body (CREST). This expertise and theoretical and practical knowledge are tested during the certification. CREST-certified professionals can hold this certification for three years across various levels and disciplines. More on CREST certifications can be found in our dedicated blog article.
What is the Council of Registered Ethical Security Testers (CREST) framework?
CREST OVS introduced new verification standards for web applications and mobile applications. CREST OVS is a conforming system with the web application security standards (ASVS) of OWASP. This will ensure quality and confidence among buyers that CREST accredited company adheres to scoping, delivery and sign-off phases in a consistent fashion defined by the CREST framework.
Do CREST certifications expire?
CREST certifications are awarded for three years. CREST-certified professionals must resit the exam to renew their certification.
Harman Singh is a security professional with over 15 years of consulting experience in both public and private sectors.
As the Managing Consultant at Cyphere, he provides cyber security services to retailers, fintech companies, SaaS providers, housing and social care, construction and more. Harman specialises in technical risk assessments, penetration testing and security strategy.
He regularly speaks at industry events, has been a trainer at prestigious conferences such as Black Hat and shares his expertise on topics such as ‘less is more’ when it comes to cybersecurity. He is a strong advocate for ensuring cyber security as an enabler for business growth.
In addition to his consultancy work, Harman is an active blogger and author who has written articles for Infosecurity Magazine, VentureBeat and other websites.
