ISO, CE Mark, VAPT & HACCP Certification in Lithuania

ISO 9001 and Cybersecurity/IT

Origin

ISO 9001 is a quality management system standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), first published in 1987. However, it's important to note that ISO 9001 itself is not a cybersecurity or IT-specific certification—it's a general quality management standard applicable to any industry. For cybersecurity and IT specifically, ISO created ISO/IEC 27001 in 2005, which focuses on information security management systems. ISO 9001 was created to establish consistent quality management practices across organizations worldwide, while ISO/IEC 27001 was developed to address the growing need for standardized information security controls.

Industry Value

ISO 9001 is valued across industries for demonstrating an organization's commitment to quality, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement, which can indirectly support IT operations. For actual cybersecurity and IT security certification, ISO/IEC 27001 is the recognized standard, valued because it provides a systematic approach to managing sensitive information, demonstrates due diligence to clients and stakeholders, and is often required for government contracts or business partnerships. ISO/IEC 27001 certification signals that an organization has implemented internationally recognized security controls and risk management processes, making it essential for building trust in an increasingly security-conscious business environment.

ISO 14001: Environmental Management Standard

ISO 14001 was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and first published in 1996, with the most recent update released in 2015. The standard was created to provide organizations with a framework for establishing and maintaining an effective Environmental Management System (EMS). It emerged from growing global awareness of environmental issues and the need for businesses across all sectors to systematically manage their environmental responsibilities, reduce their ecological footprint, and comply with environmental regulations.

For penetration testing and cybersecurity companies, ISO 14001 certification demonstrates corporate responsibility and operational maturity beyond technical capabilities. Many clients, particularly large enterprises and government agencies, require or prefer vendors who hold multiple ISO certifications as indicators of well-rounded business practices. Penetration testing firms pursue ISO 14001 to show they manage their environmental impact—including energy consumption from data centers and testing infrastructure, proper disposal of electronic equipment, and reduction of their carbon footprint from business operations. This certification helps cybersecurity companies differentiate themselves in competitive procurements, meet vendor assessment requirements, and align with clients' own sustainability goals and supply chain standards, ultimately making them more attractive partners for environmentally-conscious organizations.

ISO 22000 and Penetration Testing

Origin and Development

ISO 22000 was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and first published in 2005, with a significant revision released in 2018. The standard was created to establish a comprehensive food safety management system framework that could be applied across the entire food supply chain, from farm to table. It combined and harmonized various national food safety standards into a single, internationally recognized framework, incorporating HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) principles and linking them with management system requirements similar to ISO 9001.

Relevance to Penetration Testing Companies

Penetration testing and cybersecurity firms reference ISO 22000 certification primarily when serving clients in the food and beverage industry, demonstrating their understanding of industry-specific compliance requirements and operational contexts. When conducting security assessments for food manufacturers, distributors, or retailers, testing companies with knowledge of ISO 22000 can better evaluate how cybersecurity controls protect critical food safety data, supply chain systems, and traceability requirements that are fundamental to their clients' certification maintenance. This specialized knowledge allows penetration testers to identify vulnerabilities that could compromise not just data integrity, but also the documented processes and digital systems that support food safety compliance, making them more valuable partners for organizations where a cyber incident could directly impact public health and safety outcomes.

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.

ISO 22301: Business Continuity Management

Origin

ISO 22301 was developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 2012, with a major revision released in 2019. It emerged from the need for a globally recognized standard for business continuity management systems (BCMS), replacing the earlier British standard BS 25999-2. The standard was created to help organizations of all sizes and sectors prepare for, respond to, and recover from disruptive incidents that could threaten their operations.

Industry Value

Note: ISO 22301 is actually a business continuity management certification, not specifically a cybersecurity/IT certification, though IT resilience is often a key component. Organizations value ISO 22301 certification because it demonstrates a systematic approach to identifying potential threats and maintaining critical business functions during disruptions. The certification is particularly important for organizations that must prove operational resilience to clients, regulators, and stakeholders. It provides a competitive advantage by showing commitment to minimizing downtime, protecting revenue streams, and ensuring service delivery even during crises—whether those involve cyber incidents, natural disasters, or other operational disruptions.

CMMI Cybersecurity/IT Certification

Origin

The Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) was originally developed by the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) at Carnegie Mellon University in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with initial sponsorship from the U.S. Department of Defense. The model was created to help organizations improve their software development and system engineering processes by providing a structured framework for process improvement. The cybersecurity component, CMMI Cybermaturity Platform (formerly called CMMI for Cybersecurity), was introduced in 2018 to specifically address the growing need for organizations to assess and improve their cybersecurity practices through a maturity-based approach.

Industry Value

CMMI certifications are highly valued in the cybersecurity and IT industries because they demonstrate an organization's commitment to process excellence and continuous improvement in managing security risks. Organizations with CMMI certification often have competitive advantages when bidding for government contracts, particularly with the Department of Defense and other federal agencies that prioritize working with mature, process-driven vendors. The framework provides measurable benchmarks that help organizations identify vulnerabilities, standardize best practices, and build stakeholder confidence by showing a systematic approach to cybersecurity governance, risk management, and resilience.

SOC Certification Overview

Origin and Development

The SOC (System and Organization Controls) framework was created by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) as an evolution of earlier auditing standards. SOC 2, the most widely recognized variant for technology companies, was introduced in 2011 (with SOC 1 preceding it in 2010) to provide a standardized way for service organizations to demonstrate their controls around security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. The AICPA developed these reports to meet the growing need for third-party assurance in an increasingly cloud-based and outsourced business environment.

Industry Value and Importance

SOC 2 certification is highly valued in the IT and cybersecurity industry because it provides independent verification that a company has implemented appropriate controls to protect customer data and maintain security standards. For B2B technology companies, particularly SaaS providers and cloud service vendors, achieving SOC 2 compliance has become virtually essential for winning enterprise clients, as it demonstrates due diligence in security practices and helps customers meet their own compliance obligations. The certification serves as a trust signal that reduces risk assessment burden for potential clients and can be a competitive differentiator in the marketplace.

ISO 17025

Origin

ISO/IEC 17025 was developed jointly by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), with its first edition published in 1999 and a significant revision released in 2005, followed by the current version in 2017. The standard was created to establish general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories across all industries. Its purpose is to provide a globally recognized framework that demonstrates a laboratory's ability to produce technically valid and reliable results through consistent processes, qualified personnel, and proper quality management systems.

Importance in Penetration Testing

In the penetration testing and cybersecurity industry, ISO 17025 accreditation demonstrates that a testing organization operates with technical competence and follows rigorous quality assurance procedures. While not cybersecurity-specific, the standard's emphasis on methodological consistency, equipment validation, staff qualification, and result accuracy translates well to penetration testing environments where clients need assurance that security assessments are conducted systematically and findings are reliable. Penetration testing companies pursue ISO 17025 accreditation to differentiate themselves in the market, meet procurement requirements from government and enterprise clients who value third-party validation of laboratory competence, and demonstrate their commitment to delivering reproducible, defensible security testing results through documented and audited processes.

ISO 45001: Occupational Health and Safety Management

ISO 45001 was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and published in March 2018. It replaced the earlier OHSAS 18001 standard and represents the first global ISO standard for occupational health and safety management systems. The standard was created through collaboration among occupational health and safety experts, governments, industry representatives, and labor organizations from around the world to provide a unified framework for protecting workers from workplace-related injuries and illnesses.

For penetration testing and cybersecurity companies, ISO 45001 demonstrates a commitment to employee well-being and workplace safety, which is particularly valued by enterprise clients and government contractors who require comprehensive corporate governance. While penetration testers may not face traditional physical hazards, the certification shows that a company maintains systematic processes for managing workplace health concerns including stress management, ergonomics for desk workers, mental health support, and safe working conditions for staff who may work irregular hours or in high-pressure environments. Many cybersecurity firms pursue ISO 45001 alongside information security certifications like ISO 27001 to present a complete picture of organizational maturity and duty of care, making them more competitive when bidding for contracts with large organizations that mandate comprehensive management system certifications across their supply chain.

ISO 13485 and Cybersecurity/IT

Origin

ISO 13485 was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and first published in 1996, with major revisions in 2003 and 2016. However, it's important to note that ISO 13485 is specifically a quality management system standard for medical devices and their related services—it is not primarily a cybersecurity or IT certification. The standard was created to help medical device manufacturers demonstrate their ability to provide devices and related services that consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements.

Industry Value

ISO 13485 is highly valued in the medical device industry because it provides a comprehensive framework for quality management that is recognized globally by regulatory authorities. Certification demonstrates an organization's commitment to product safety, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement. While the standard itself focuses on quality management rather than cybersecurity specifically, the 2016 revision does address risk management throughout the product lifecycle, which can include cybersecurity considerations for software-based medical devices. For companies seeking to market medical devices internationally, ISO 13485 certification is often essential for regulatory approval and building customer confidence.

ISO 50001 - Energy Management System

Origin and Development

ISO 50001 was developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in June 2011, with a significant revision released in 2018. The standard was created in response to growing global concerns about energy consumption, climate change, and the need for organizations to manage their energy use more effectively. It provides a framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an energy management system, enabling organizations to systematically reduce their energy consumption, improve energy efficiency, and decrease their overall environmental footprint.

Value to the Penetration Testing and Cybersecurity Industry

For penetration testing and cybersecurity companies, ISO 50001 certification demonstrates corporate responsibility and operational maturity beyond their core technical services. As data centers, testing laboratories, and security operations centers consume significant amounts of energy to power servers, cooling systems, and continuous monitoring infrastructure, this certification shows clients that the organization manages resources efficiently and maintains sustainable business practices. Cybersecurity firms reference ISO 50001 to distinguish themselves in competitive bids, particularly when dealing with government contracts or environmentally-conscious enterprises that evaluate vendors on comprehensive corporate governance criteria. The certification signals to potential clients that the company maintains systematic management processes and is committed to continuous improvement—qualities that parallel the rigor expected in their security testing methodologies.

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.