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NCC Group Secure Test penetration tester amongst five to achieve accreditation

February 04, 2010

Five IT security professionals – including a penetration tester from NCC Group Secure Test  – have successfully become the first group to achieve Council of Registered Ethical Security Testers (“CREST”) Registered Tester status, having completed the organisation’s new qualification designed to establish professional standards within the industry.

The CREST Registered Tester (CRT) qualification is the first assessment in the sector to consider both written and practical elements. It has been designed to ensure a demonstrable level of competency to industry clients, and to help suitably competent and qualified testers market themselves effectively to industry employers.  The CRT qualification complements the existing advanced-level CREST Certified Tester (CCT) qualification which already has an established reputation for delivering the highest quality senior security consultants.

The candidates undertook a comprehensive assessment of their capabilities in general network security infrastructure testing, operating system security assessment and web application security assessment.

Chris Thomas, a member of the penetration testing team at NCC Group Secure Test, was one of the five successful candidates. He said: “The CREST accreditation comes at a great time for graduates considering a career in this highly-competitive industry, and for penetration testers already in employment - providing them with a professional qualification to aim for. It proves to employers and their clients that job candidates have the necessary skills, as well as boosting future career prospects for the individuals. I am delighted to have successfully completed the assessment, and look forward to applying the skills that I have learned in my work at Secure Test.”

Ian Glover, president of CREST, commented: “We are delighted for Chris and all the successful candidates, who have shown great ability in completing the examination.

“The penetration and security testing field – historically viewed as a dark art – has been desperately under-represented for some time. Assessments such as this form part of our long-term strategy to professionalise the industry. As a not-for-profit organisation, we are committed to raising the bar, ensuring professional development for individuals focussing on best practice, demonstrable ability and commerciality – an aspect that other qualifications fail to consider.”

Paul Vlissidis, director at NCC Group Secure Test, said: “This latest CREST Registered Tester assessment is, unlike a number of existing qualifications, tailored specifically to the needs of the industry and businesses like ours. We are delighted to be part of an organisation committed to improving standards in penetration testing and lobbying in our interest. Our membership to CREST means we can continue to attract high calibre employees such as Chris, and operate a more efficient recruitment process.”

ENDS
Media contact: Dave Lafferty @ MC2 (0161 236 1352 / davel@mcmc.co.uk)

Notes to editors

About Crest

CREST is a not for profit organisation representing the information security testing industry.  It offers a demonstrable level of assurance of processes and procedures of member organisations and validates the competence of information security testers.  CREST provides guidance, standards and opportunities to share and enhance knowledge.

CREST provides information security testers recognised professional qualifications and support with ongoing personal development.
www.crest-approved.org

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