Securious - Data and Cyber Security
Speciality: PCI DSS Penetration Testing
Cybersecurity compliance and pentesting company based in Exeter, UK; 11 employees with 18.2% YoY growth; founded in 2007; provides PCI DSS, ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials, and penetration testing services to UK and international clients.
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 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.
Cyber Essentials Certification
Origin
Cyber Essentials was created by the UK Government in 2014 in collaboration with industry experts and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). The scheme was developed in response to the growing threat of cybercrime and the recognition that many cyber attacks could be prevented through basic security controls. It was designed to help organizations of all sizes protect themselves against common internet-based threats and establish a baseline of cybersecurity hygiene.
Industry Value and Importance
Cyber Essentials is highly valued in both public and private sectors as it demonstrates an organization's commitment to cybersecurity. UK government contracts involving handling of sensitive and personal information require Cyber Essentials certification as a mandatory prerequisite. Beyond compliance, the certification helps organizations reduce their vulnerability to approximately 80% of common cyber attacks, provides insurance benefits with some providers offering premium reductions, and serves as a trust signal to customers and partners. Many businesses also require their suppliers to hold the certification as part of their supply chain security requirements, making it increasingly important for maintaining competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Cyber Essentials Plus
Origin
Cyber Essentials Plus was created by the UK Government in 2014 in collaboration with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which is part of GCHQ. The scheme was developed in response to the growing threat of cyber attacks against UK businesses and organizations. It was designed to help organizations of all sizes implement basic cybersecurity controls to protect against the most common internet-based cyber threats, with the "Plus" variant including hands-on technical verification by qualified assessors.
Industry Value
Cyber Essentials Plus is highly valued because it provides verified assurance that an organization has implemented fundamental cybersecurity controls effectively. Unlike the standard Cyber Essentials self-assessment, the Plus certification requires external testing and vulnerability scanning, making it more rigorous and credible. It's increasingly required for UK government contracts involving sensitive information and is recognized by insurance providers, clients, and partners as evidence of a serious commitment to cybersecurity. The certification helps organizations demonstrate due diligence, reduce cyber risk, and differentiate themselves in competitive bidding situations.