SAFE-Secura
Speciality: Comprehensive Penetration Testing
Private cybersecurity firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2000; specializes in penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and red teaming with active testing across cloud, network, mobile, web, IoT, and infrastructure targets; certified CCV for pentesting; part of a 51-200 employee organization.
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.
NIS2 Directive Overview
Origin and Background
The NIS2 Directive (Network and Information Security Directive 2) was created by the European Union and adopted in January 2023, replacing the original NIS Directive from 2016. The European Parliament and Council developed this legislation to address the growing cybersecurity threats across member states and to create a more uniform approach to cybersecurity requirements. It was implemented because the original directive had inconsistent application across EU countries and didn't adequately cover the expanding digital landscape and supply chain vulnerabilities that emerged in recent years.
Industry Importance and Value
NIS2 is significant because it establishes mandatory cybersecurity requirements for approximately 160,000 organizations across essential and important sectors in the EU, including energy, healthcare, banking, digital infrastructure, and public administration. The directive is valued for creating harmonized cybersecurity standards across Europe, improving incident reporting mechanisms, and holding senior management directly accountable for compliance. For organizations doing business in or with the EU, NIS2 compliance has become essential—not only to avoid substantial penalties (up to €10 million or 2% of global turnover) but also to demonstrate robust cybersecurity practices to partners and customers in an increasingly interconnected global market.
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.
- Abbott Laboratories
- Knorr-Bremse
- Amazon
- Meta
- American Airlines
- Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS)
- ING
- Hitachi
- Rijkswaterstaat
- Provincie Zuid Holland
- Philips
- Suanfarma