CSIRO
Speciality: Automated Network Pentesting
CSIRO is a government-funded research organization in Australia with 4,002 employees and $1.0B annual revenue; it has a long history of scientific innovation and conducts research across sectors including energy, space, and AI. The organization also offers cybersecurity services such as penetration testing and vulnerability assessments, supported by credible sources.
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 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 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.
- Boeing
- Jacobs
- US Government
- Universities