The global cybersecurity non-profit body CREST will improve professionalisation and growth among cybersecurity service providers with the launch of its Cyber Accelerated Maturity Programme (CREST CAMP). CREST says the initiative is a cornerstone of its commitment to global cyber security capacity building.
CREST CAMP supports companies in their journey toward professionalisation by providing targeted mentoring, training, and guidance through the stages of the CREST Accreditation Pathway towards full membership and accreditation.
CREST CAMP is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and reflects a significant shift in development funding priorities. Traditionally, most cybersecurity capacity-building grants have been directed toward government agencies and their staff. While this is strategically important, it does mean there is more to do in the private sector, given its critical role in the broader security landscape.
CREST CAMP addresses this gap by acknowledging that the private sector is important to safeguarding national security. Governments increasingly rely on private sector expertise to address resource shortfalls. At the same time, the rest of society and the economy depend on high-quality private sector cyber security service providers to function securely.
The FCDO funding will allow CREST to pilot the programme in collaboration with national cybersecurity authorities from Armenia, Bahrain, Georgia, Ghana, Kenya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Thailand, Oman and the Philippines from September 2024 to March 2025. The funding is expected to be the first of several investments in CREST CAMP as development agencies, multi-lateral banks, and philanthropists recognise the pivotal role that private cyber companies play in safeguarding critical national infrastructure and broader societal needs.
“We are delighted to launch CREST CAMP, which is part of our increasing role supporting companies globally on their journey of professionalisation and growth,” said CREST CEO Nick Benson. “CREST’s active work in global capacity building is essential for those companies that need more support and guidance.”
A key element of CREST CAMP is collaboration, drawing on a global network of CREST-accredited member companies, training providers, and academic partners. Through these partnerships, CREST actively works to improve cyber security standards. The current and future cohorts of CREST CAMP will involve national cybersecurity authorities and a select group of cybersecurity service providers who will receive intensive mentoring from one of CREST’s 380-plus established member companies. This mentorship will guide them through their professional growth journey, helping them attain accreditation, grow their local customer base and ultimately, export their services.
Additionally, CREST CAMP will help build affordable, high-quality training by supporting up to eight training providers with CREST materials and train-the-trainer support. This initiative aims to boost sustainable training infrastructures within participating countries, ensuring that local prices and local needs are met while strengthening the global cyber workforce. To kick-start this initiative, some employees from CREST CAMP companies receive funding for training from the newly supported providers.
For CREST member companies, mentoring through CREST CAMP offers an opportunity to help shape the future of the global cyber ecosystem, establish long-term partnerships, and support countries in the earlier stages of standard-setting and regulation. Mentoring companies will, for example, offer intensive support to beneficiary companies to deepen their understanding of methodology, policy, or skills gaps, help them make initial enhancements, and create a thorough gap closure plan.
“CREST member companies around the world, as mentors and examples of what good looks like, will play an important part in this crucial work,” adds Benson. “In today’s increasingly interconnected global market we must look beyond our own national borders to do the hard work that makes us all safer from cyber threats.”
The launch of CREST CAMP is an example of CREST’s ongoing commitment to developing the global cyber security industry. It follows its pledge of support for the Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building’s Accra Call for cyber resilient development last year.
As part of its pledge, CREST launched a 50% discount on membership and accreditation fees for companies in lower-middle and low-income countries. With the launch of CREST CAMP, CREST will now also offer a 50% discount on the CREST Accreditation Pathway and on all its practitioner-level exams to those same countries.
