Professionalism in information security key for success in challenging technological environment
Public and private sectors endorse approach by IISP (Institute of Information Security Professionals)
November 14th 2011 – Jonathan Hoyle, Director General for Government and Industry Cyber Security at GCHQ, has used the IISP’s 5th Annual General Meeting (AGM) to highlight the role that professionalism in information security will play in enhancing the UK’s economic prosperity.
Hoyle’s comments were followed by Dr John Meakin, BP’s Director of Digital Security and Chief Information Security Officer, who announced that BP has integrated the IISP certification process into its IT professional skills and Licence to Work processes.
Jonathan Hoyle said: “Cyberspace presents an unprecedented opportunity to enhance the UK’s economic prosperity for the future. Effective Information Security, underpinned by professionalisation and the continued growth of cyber skills in academia, will be a cornerstone for achieving success in this challenging technological environment. The IISP should be a key player in those initiatives with the IISP Skills Framework becoming the basis for the public sector standard.”
John Meakin said: “BP recognises the critical role that truly professional Info Security staff play in addressing the latest rapidly-evolving cyber threats – only through understanding the way business uses information and IT can we adequately protect the information against sophisticated, targeted threats. That is why BP has integrated the IISP certification process into our IT professional skills and Licence to Work processes that will apply to all our Info Security staff going forward.”
In September, as part of the Government’s investment in cyber security, a consortium comprising the IISP, CREST and Royal Holloway’s Information Security Group (ISG) was appointed by CESG to provide certification for UK Government Information Assurance (IA) professionals. The consortium was awarded a licence to issue the CESG Certified Professional Mark based on the IISP Skills Framework, as part of a certification scheme driven by CESG, the IA arm of GCHQ.
New Board Members
Meanwhile, the Institute is pleased to announce that three new board members have been elected to the IISP Board of Directors, while three current board members have been re-elected. Dr Alastair MacWillson (Chairman) and Nick Seaver (Treasurer) and Alan Stockey were all re-elected, while David Alexander, Andrea Simmons and Piers Wilson were elected for the first time.
Titles as follows:
Dr Alastair MacWillson, Global Managing Partner Security Practice, Accenture
Nick Seaver, Partner, Security & Resilience, Deloitte UK
Alan Stockey, Managing Director at Risking I.T Ltd
David Alexander, CTO at Regency IT Consulting
Andrea Simmons, Head of Policy and Governance, Global at HP Enterprise Security Services
Piers Wilson, Senior Manager – OneSecurity – Enterprise Security Architecture at PricewaterhouseCoopers
About the IISP
The IISP is a not-for-profit organisation that was established in 2006 as the professional institute for individuals and organisations for whom Information Security is a priority. Its purpose is to advance professionalism for information security professionals and the industry as a whole, and to act as an accreditation authority for the industry. Since 2007 the IISP has offered professional accreditation through its Associate and Full Membership levels, and also accredits individuals against the ITPC scheme, which was developed by CSIA.
www.instisp.org
Media Contacts:
Peter Rennison / Allie Andrews
PRPR,
Tel: + 44 (0)1442 245030
Email: pr[at]prpr[dot]co.uk / allie[at]prpr[dot]co.uk
