We’re just five weeks into 2016 and already Cisco Security has released its Annual Security Report, announced a great security partnership with BT and our Talos Group have continued to develop patches and identify attacks and exploits.
One of the interesting facts in Cisco’s 2016 Annual Security Report is that only 45% of businesses reported that they are confident in their ability to determine the scope of an attack and remediate the damage. This, combined with a significant global security talent shortage, contributes to the growing need for security companies to deliver both a comprehensive technology portfolio and a strong security consultancy service practice.
In late January at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Cisco’s CEO Chuck Robbins announced a new $10 million Global Security Scholarship to help educate and train individuals to have the necessary skills required to combat modern security threats, helping to fill the void in the security industry. In addition, Cisco has added courses to its Networking Academy to train more global security talent too. However, that is just one approach to a big issue for business.
Last year we announced our intent to acquire Portcullis Computer Security, Ltd., a privately held UK-based consultancy that provides cybersecurity services to enterprise clients and the government sector. That completed in November and in doing so, we have increased our ability to offer strong security, risk and compliance services to help clients overcome operational and technical security challenges, anticipate and respond to new threats, and drive new business.
Building further on our credentials as a top provider of security consulting, today we can proudly reveal we have achieved certification in line with the new CESG Certified Cyber Security Consultancy scheme.
The ‘Cyber Security Consultancy scheme’ certifies companies in one of a number of categories, depending on the type of services offered. Cisco has been certified to provide services under the security architecture category, enabling clients to draw on a diverse range of cyber security services delivered by the Cisco Security Solutions organisation.
As a market leading provider of cyber security products and services, Cisco is uniquely positioned to support government, the wider public sector and critical national infrastructure organisations by delivering CESG-endorsed cyber advice and guidance.
During his speech at the IA15 conference in December, Matthew Hancock MP highlighted that improving Cyber Security is critical not only for maintaining both a robust defence from increasing threats but also to ensure that the UK continues to be one of the safest places in the world to access public services or do business online. Achieving these goals requires industry and government to work together and certification under the new CESG scheme highlights Cisco’s commitment and endorses the skills and expertise available to help government achieve their goals.
Following the termination of the CESG Listed Advisor Scheme (CLAS) in January 2016, CESG created the Cyber Security Consultancy scheme to certify service offerings provided by industry. The scheme aims to provide confidence to the marketplace that each certified consultancy will deliver high quality, tailored expert cyber advice.
We are proud to be in the first tranche of companies certified under the new CESG Cyber Consultancy scheme. Cisco has a long heritage in delivering products and services to Government and wider public sector and as a trusted advisor we are aware of the importance that cyber security plays. This certification underlines Cisco’s commitment to the sector and endorses the knowledge and experience we have available to support our clients.
This week is Cisco Live in Berlin, and we are enjoying the opportunities that this brings for us to meet and speak with customers and partners about security, and how together we can help our clients overcome operational and technical security challenges, anticipate and respond to new threats, and ultimately drive new business opportunities for them.
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