Air IT achieve international cyber security certification from CREST

Air IT has joined a select group of security providers certified by CREST, a not-for-profit certification body that represents and supports the techni

Air IT has joined a select group of security providers certified by CREST, a not-for-profit certification body that represents and supports the technical information security industry whilst offering buyers a list of security providers they can trust.

The accreditation is awarded to organisations that can demonstrate their proficiency for penetration testing. Also known as pen testing, this specialist security protocol is carried out by qualified experts who ethically simulate the latest hacking techniques used by cybercriminals in the real world, testing businesses’ cyber defences and uncovering any weaknesses that could be exploited. Penetration testing is an essential tool for proactively analysing and improving IT security systems, and is a legal requirement for many businesses.

Lee Johnson, Chief Technology Officer at Air IT, said:

“The latest government Cyber Security Breaches Survey found that 68% of SMEs were hit by a cyberattack last year, and cybercriminals are using the pandemic to their advantage by targeting businesses that are unprepared for the security issues associated with remote working.

We are committed to protecting businesses from cybercrime and are proud to be accredited members of CREST, the leading organisation for cyber security experts. It is testament to the talent and dedication of our team, who have proven their expertise after an in-depth audit of the company’s internal processes in addition to their individual qualifications.”

“Recognising the vital role of penetration testing for its growing public and private sector client base, Air IT is now able to give customers the added reassurance that its services meet the very highest standards, by successfully going through the CREST accreditation process. As well as a rigorous assessment of its business processes, data security and testing methodologies, Air IT has built a team of qualified, CREST-certified penetration testers to carry out this highly-skilled and sensitive work.”

About Air IT: The East Midlands-based Managed Service Provider has been delivering managed IT services since 2005, launching its specialist security division in 2017. Headed up by CTO Lee Johnson, the team help protect SMEs from cybercrime with a range of leading-edge managed security services – including penetration testing, user awareness training, next-generation threat detection and incident response – via their in-house Security Operations Centre (SOC). During an exciting period of growth for the business, Air IT has recently expanded through acquisition, enabling them to better serve clients across the UK.

About CREST: CREST is a not-for-profit accreditation and certification body representing the technical information security industry. CREST provides internationally recognised accreditations for organisations, providing technical security services and professional level certifications for individuals providing vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, cyber incident response, threat intelligence and security operations centre (SOC) services.

CREST Member companies undergo regular and stringent assessment, whilst CREST-certified individuals undertake rigorous examinations to demonstrate the highest levels of knowledge, skill and competence. To ensure currency of knowledge in fast-changing technical security environments, the certification process is repeated every three years.