The Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc has been awarded ISO 2007:2013 Certification by the British Standard Institute (BSI), a leading organisation in audit management systems and processes. The certification is the world’s highest accreditation for Information Security Management System (ISMS).

The presentation ceremony took place at the CSCS headquarters in Lagos on Tuesday. The company was awarded the ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Certification after undergoing series of intense audit processes which began in September 2015 last year.

The certificate was presented to Mr Kyari Bukar, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, CSCS, by Mr Ahmed Bashir, Director, UK Trade and Investment who represented the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Ray Kyles.

Commenting on this landmark achievement, Mr Bukar said he was delighted to receive this award having worked so tirelessly for it. “I am delighted that we are now ISO certified. As you are aware, information is a valuable asset that can make or break your business. We, in CSCS, are mindful of this fact hence we embarked on this arduous but rewarding task about a year ago. When information is properly managed, it allows you to operate with confidence. Information security management gives you the freedom to grow, innovate and broaden your customer-base in the knowledge that all your confidential information will remain safe and secure”.

“Again, I am very delighted that we have achieved this great feat. I celebrate all my colleagues who helped make this a reality.”

In the same vein, Mr Ahmed Bashir, Director, UK Trade and Investment said with this certification, CSCS has kept with the most advanced international standard on information security. He said “this standardisation is key and you have to keep up with the pace. The certification process is indeed very rigorous and this is no mean achievement and I congratulate everybody that has contributed to make this possible”.

An elated Joe Mekiliuwa, General Manager, CSCS, said “this certification is a proof of our commitment to provide all our participants with maximum protection. This process involved auditing and verification of our Information Security Management System (ISMS) practices by the British Standard Institute (BSI). The certification is a clear indication of the strength of our investments in people, process and technology for enhancing the customer experience by improving adequate information security”.

“This is only the beginning”, noted Project Consultant, Digital Encode, while stressing the importance of always upholding the principles of ISMS to guarantee success in the more stringent Stage 2 certification audit due in a year.

ISO 27001 Information Security Management Systems is the international best practice standard for information security. ISO 27001:2013, the current version of the standard, provides a set of standardised requirements for an information security management system (ISMS). It is the only auditable international standard which defines the requirements to ensure that sufficient security controls are instituted within the certified organization. CSCS is required to undergo an annual review and three year re-certification process such that the information security standard is maintained.