Picus Security
Speciality: Automated Penetration Testing
Cybersecurity company specializing in breach and attack simulation (BAS) and security validation; 229 employees with 27.2% YoY growth, $85M annual revenue, founded in 2013, headquartered in San Francisco, CA; supports penetration testing and red teaming activities, with $78M in funding.
ISO/IEC 27001: Information Security Management System Certification
Origin
ISO/IEC 27001 was developed jointly by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), first published in 2005 and most recently updated in 2022. It evolved from the British Standard BS 7799, which was created in the 1990s by the UK government and industry experts to address growing information security concerns. The standard was developed to provide organizations with a systematic framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS), helping them protect sensitive data in an increasingly digital business environment.
Industry Value and Importance
ISO/IEC 27001 is globally recognized as the gold standard for information security management, valued because it demonstrates an organization's commitment to protecting confidential information through risk-based controls and continuous improvement. The certification is particularly important for organizations handling sensitive data, as it helps them comply with legal and regulatory requirements, win contracts (especially with government entities and large enterprises), and build customer trust. Many industries require or strongly prefer vendors with ISO 27001 certification, as it provides independent verification that appropriate security controls are in place, reducing the risk of data breaches and ensuring business continuity in the face of evolving cybersecurity threats.
SOC 2 Type 2 Certification
Origin
SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) was developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and introduced in 2011 as part of their Service Organization Control reporting framework. It was created to address the growing need for standardized security auditing as businesses increasingly moved their data and operations to third-party cloud service providers. The AICPA recognized that traditional financial auditing standards were insufficient for evaluating the security practices of technology service providers, prompting the development of SOC 2 to assess controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy based on their Trust Services Criteria.
Industry Importance
SOC 2 Type 2 certification is highly valued because it provides independent verification that a service provider has implemented and maintained effective security controls over a specified period (typically 6-12 months), rather than just at a single point in time like Type 1. This certification has become an essential requirement for vendors handling sensitive customer data, as it demonstrates to clients and stakeholders that robust security measures are consistently in place. Many enterprises now require SOC 2 Type 2 reports from their vendors as part of their third-party risk management programs, making it a competitive necessity for SaaS companies, cloud providers, and data processors seeking to build trust and win business with security-conscious organizations.
- Mastercard
- City National Bank
- Vodafone
- BSF
- Pennymac
- VMware
- Sutter Health
- Crocs
- Kraft Heinz
- Palo Alto
- Vistra
- Equifax
- Turkish Airlines
- The Saudi Investment Bank
- Government Technology Agency of Singapore
- Prysmian
- ING
- Maire
- Migros
- QNB
- DIFC
- Garanti
- Juventus