MXC Security (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
Speciality: Comprehensive Penetration Testing
IT services and consulting company specializing in information security, including penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and red teaming; based in Hong Kong with 16 employees, founded in 2003, and ranked #10,296,402 globally. Offers expertise in security management, compliance, and privacy consultancy.
CREST Cybersecurity Certification
Origin
CREST (Council of Registered Ethical Security Testers) was established in 2006 in the United Kingdom by a group of cybersecurity professionals and industry representatives. It was created to address the growing need for standardized, recognized qualifications in penetration testing and cybersecurity services. The organization emerged from concerns about the quality and professionalism of security testing services, aiming to provide a framework that would certify both individual practitioners and the companies that employ them.
Industry Value
CREST certifications are highly valued in the cybersecurity industry because they demonstrate a practitioner's technical competence and adherence to professional ethical standards. Many government agencies, financial institutions, and large corporations specifically require CREST-certified professionals when procuring penetration testing or security assessment services. The certification provides assurance to employers and clients that certified individuals have been independently verified to possess the necessary skills and knowledge, and that they follow established codes of conduct. This makes CREST credentials particularly important for cybersecurity professionals working in regulated industries or seeking to work with organizations that have stringent security requirements.
PCI QSA Certification
Origin
The PCI Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) certification was created by the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC), an organization founded in 2006 by major payment card brands including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and JCB. The certification was established to address the growing need for qualified professionals who could assess merchant and service provider compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). The PCI DSS itself was developed in 2004 to create a unified approach to protecting cardholder data and reducing payment card fraud across the industry.
Industry Value
The PCI QSA certification is highly valued because it represents official authorization to conduct PCI DSS compliance assessments for organizations that handle payment card data. Companies that process, store, or transmit cardholder information are required by payment card brands to validate their PCI DSS compliance, and QSAs are the only professionals authorized to perform these formal assessments for most merchant levels. The certification demonstrates expertise in payment security standards, risk assessment methodologies, and data protection practices, making QSAs essential partners for businesses seeking to maintain compliance, avoid penalties, and protect their customers' sensitive payment information.
ISO 27001: Information Security Management Certification
Origin
ISO 27001 was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and was first published in 2005. It evolved from the British Standard BS 7799-2, which was created in the late 1990s. The standard was developed in response to the growing need for organizations to systematically manage and protect sensitive information in an increasingly digital business environment. ISO 27001 has since been revised, with major updates released in 2013 and 2022 to address evolving cybersecurity threats and best practices.
Industry Value and Importance
ISO 27001 is globally recognized as the leading standard for information security management systems (ISMS) and is valued for providing a systematic, risk-based approach to protecting sensitive data. Organizations that achieve ISO 27001 certification demonstrate to clients, partners, and regulators that they have implemented comprehensive security controls and are committed to maintaining confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. The certification is particularly important for organizations handling sensitive data, as it helps meet regulatory compliance requirements, reduces security incidents, builds customer trust, and often provides a competitive advantage in procurement processes where information security assurance is required.
ISO 20000: IT Service Management Certification
Origin
ISO 20000 was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), first published in December 2005. It was based on the earlier British Standard BS 15000, which was created by the British Standards Institution (BSI). The standard was developed to provide organizations with a internationally recognized framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an IT Service Management System (ITSMS), largely aligned with ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) best practices.
Industry Value and Importance
ISO 20000 is highly valued in the industry as it demonstrates an organization's commitment to delivering quality IT services consistently and efficiently. The certification provides assurance to customers and stakeholders that an organization follows industry best practices for service management, can manage risks effectively, and maintains controls for service continuity. For businesses, achieving ISO 20000 certification often leads to improved service delivery, better resource management, enhanced customer satisfaction, and competitive advantages in bids and tenders, particularly in government contracts and large enterprise deals where certified vendors are preferred or required.
PCI DSS Certification
Origin
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) was created in 2004 by the major credit card companies: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and JCB International. These companies formed the PCI Security Standards Council in 2006 to manage and evolve the standard. PCI DSS was developed in response to increasing credit card fraud and data breaches, establishing a unified set of security requirements for all organizations that store, process, or transmit cardholder data. The goal was to create consistent security measures across the payment card industry to protect sensitive payment information.
Industry Value and Importance
PCI DSS compliance is mandatory for any business that handles credit card transactions, making it one of the most critical security standards in commerce today. The certification demonstrates that an organization has implemented robust security controls, including network protection, access management, encryption, and regular security testing. Non-compliance can result in severe consequences, including substantial fines (up to $100,000 per month), increased transaction fees, loss of payment processing privileges, and reputational damage following a breach. For IT professionals, PCI DSS expertise is highly valued as organizations across all industries need qualified personnel to implement, maintain, and audit these security controls.
- Reuters
- Hewlett Packard (HP)
- Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel)
- Sony Electronics