The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is providing funding for initiatives spearheaded by IT security certification organization Crest to aid international cyber security firms in expanding and refining their product offerings and services.
The inaugural version of Crest’s Cyber Accelerated Maturity Programme, referred to as Crest Camp, is set to run until March 2025. This was announced on the second day of a three-day cyber security event hosted by the UK government at Wilton Park in West Sussex. The event aims to foster international cooperation and dialogue around cyber security challenges, enabling participants to collaborate on strategies that enhance their nations’ cyber readiness.
Crest Camp will support cyber security service providers from Armenia, Bahrain, Georgia, Ghana, Lithuania, Kenya, Thailand, Oman, and the Philippines, which have been identified as regions in need of strengthening their cyber security capabilities. According to Crest, this initiative is designed to fulfill an “identified need” within these countries’ cyber security ecosystems.
“Crest Camp represents our commitment to assist companies on their journey toward professionalization by offering tailored mentoring, training, and guidance through the Crest Accreditation Pathway toward full membership and accreditation,” Crest stated. “By forming strategic partnerships, we are establishing new benchmarks for growth and sustainability within the cyber security landscapes of the participating regions.”
Addressing the Skills Gap
The training component of this initiative comes at a time of increasing global attention on the measures necessary to close the IT security skills gap, ensuring organizations possess the expertise required to defend against ever-evolving cyber threats. Recent research by industry body ISC2 indicates that the global cyber security workforce needs to grow by 87% to bridge the existing talent gap.
The FCDO’s grant to Crest illustrates the agency’s commitment to fostering collaboration between international entities in the fight against cyber crime. Crest notes that this initiative signifies a notable shift in focus, as most funding in this area has traditionally been directed toward government entities.
“There is much more we can accomplish within the private sector, given its vital role in the broader security landscape,” Crest stated. “Crest Camp addresses this need by recognizing that governments increasingly depend on private sector expertise to mitigate resource shortages, while society and the economy rely on quality private sector cyber security service providers for secure operations.”
Crest CEO Nick Benson emphasized that this initiative is part of Crest’s expanding role in supporting global companies aiming to bolster their cyber security posture. “We appreciate the support from the FCDO for Crest Camp and their recognition of the private sector’s importance in enhancing a nation’s cyber resilience and securing Critical National Infrastructure,” he said. “Crest member companies globally will serve as mentors and exemplars of best practices in this essential work. In today’s interconnected global marketplace, we must transcend national borders to undertake the vital work necessary to protect against cyber threats.”