Latest news with #certifications
Zawya
7 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Stc Bahrain launches 'stc Business Cyber Path'
Manama, Bahrain – stc Bahrain, a digital enabler, has announced the launch of 'stc Business Cyber Path,' a dedicated online programme offering expert-led training in cybersecurity, governance, risk, and compliance. This initiative reflects stc Bahrain's commitment to supporting its business partners by providing them with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate today's complex digital landscape. The program provides access to globally recognized certifications such as CISSP, ISO standards, and more, delivered through live, instructor-led online sessions. The stc Business Cyber Path offers structured learning paths tailored to real business needs, ensuring participants can apply what they learn directly to their roles. The training is conducted by certified experts with extensive experience across critical sectors such as government, banking, and telecom. Delivered entirely online, the program allows professionals to upskill from anywhere without the need for travel, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses in Bahrain. This initiative positions stc Bahrain as a leader in the cybersecurity space, going beyond offering advanced cybersecurity services to also supporting workforce development. By enabling businesses to train their teams locally on internationally accredited programs, stc Bahrain is helping organizations build internal capabilities and reduce risks in an increasingly complex digital environment. Interested candidates are invited to register through sending an email to cyberpath@ contacting their account manager, or visiting [stc Business |].
Zawya
21-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
The BIBF renews strategic partnership with PRMIA to support risk management capacity building in the region
Manama, Bahrain – The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) has reaffirmed its longstanding partnership with the Professional Risk Managers' International Association (PRMIA), through the renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at the BIBF premises. The signing took place during the official visit of PRMIA's Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Justin C. McCarthy, who met with the institute's management team to explore new avenues of collaboration and future initiatives. This renewed agreement reinforces the institutions' shared commitment to advancing professional development in the field of risk management across Bahrain and the region. Through this partnership, the BIBF continues to offer training aligned with PRMIA's globally recognised certifications — the Professional Risk Manager (PRM™), Associate Professional Risk Manager (APRM), and the Operational Risk Management Certificate (ORM). These programmes aim to equip professionals with internationally benchmarked qualifications and practical expertise. Commenting on the renewed partnership, Dr. Ahmed Al Shaikh, Chief Executive Officer of BIBF, stated: "We are proud to extend our collaboration with PRMIA, which reflects our shared commitment to excellence in professional education. This MoU strengthens our ability to provide world-class training that supports the region's risk and financial management sectors." Mr. McCarthy added: "Our partnership with the BIBF has been instrumental in broadening access to high-quality risk education in the region. We look forward to continuing this successful collaboration." The BIBF continues to be a key regional hub for financial training, having supported professionals in Bahrain and beyond. The renewed MoU also includes enhanced support through the BIBF's growing e-learning platform, enabling candidates to access virtual classes and flexible learning options. About the BIBF The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) is the leading provider of education and training in the region, established in 1981 under the Central Bank of Bahrain. With a commitment to enhancing human capital, the BIBF serves not only Bahrain but also extends its reach to 64 countries worldwide, solidifying its global presence. The BIBF is dedicated to delivering excellence across a broad spectrum of business disciplines. It partners with numerous international institutions to offer thought leadership, assessment, and training in key areas, including: Banking and Finance Islamic Banking Executive Education Accounting and Finance Academic Studies Leadership and Management Insurance Digital Transformation and Project Management
Forbes
12-05-2025
- Forbes
How To Tell If A Digital Forensics Expert Is Qualified
Digital evidence plays a pivotal role in everything from corporate investigations and criminal trials to trucking accidents and insurance fraud. Finding a qualified digital forensics expert has never been more important. As I covered in my last article, digital forensics differs from many professional fields in that it lacks a universal licensing requirement. This absence leaves attorneys, judges, and organizations with the difficult task of evaluating expert qualifications without any standardized criteria to guide their decisions. So how can you determine if a digital forensics expert is truly qualified to handle your case? The answer lies in understanding the unique qualification landscape created through formal education, certifications and experience. Academic credentials in digital forensics, computer science or cybersecurity provide a structured foundation of knowledge that can be valuable in establishing an expert's qualifications. Degrees from accredited institutions demonstrate that an individual has completed a comprehensive curriculum covering fundamental concepts and methodologies relevant to digital investigations. However, formal education comes with inherent limitations in this rapidly evolving field. Many highly skilled digital forensics professionals enter the discipline from diverse backgrounds in IT, law enforcement, military intelligence and law, bringing valuable perspectives that traditional academic paths might not provide. Some of the most effective practitioners developed their expertise through non-traditional routes, accumulating specialized knowledge through hands-on experience rather than classroom instruction. Even when formal education is present, the static nature of academic curricula presents challenges. University programs must maintain a certain level of consistency, meaning coursework often lags behind the cutting-edge of technology. A degree completed five years ago could provide solid foundations for the overarching principles of mobile phone forensics, but it wouldn't cover today's mobile forensics challenges. Challenges that evolve with every iOS and Android operating system update. This reality underscores why the most qualified digital forensics experts approach their profession as lifelong learners, continuously supplementing their formal education with ongoing professional development. The best practitioners actively seek knowledge beyond their initial training, regardless of whether that training occurred in a university setting or through alternative pathways. While not mandatory, certifications provide an important baseline for assessing a digital forensics expert's technical knowledge. These credentials fall into two main categories, each offering different insights into an expert's capabilities: The strongest digital forensics experts typically possess a combination of both certification types, showing both practical tool mastery and broader methodological understanding. This certification portfolio provides reasonable assurance that an expert possesses at least minimum technical competency. However, certifications alone tell only part of the qualification story. While certifications establish baseline knowledge, real-world experience often proves the most valuable in determining an expert's true capabilities. Digital forensics is fundamentally a practical discipline where theoretical knowledge must be applied to complex, unique scenarios that rarely match textbook examples—because an examiner may be the first to encounter a new type of digital evidence. When evaluating experience, consider both quantity and quality. The number of years in practice matters, but more important is the diversity and complexity of cases handled. An expert who has worked five years exclusively doing forensic data collections may have less relevant expertise than someone with three years of experience across criminal, civil, and regulatory matters involving diverse technical challenges. An expert may possess extensive technical knowledge but struggle to effectively communicate findings to judges and juries. Previous testimony experience—especially in cases similar to yours—suggests an expert can translate complex technical concepts into language accessible to non-technical audiences. Publication history and continuing education also signal an expert's commitment to the field. Digital forensics evolves rapidly as technology changes, making ongoing learning essential. Experts who regularly attend conferences, participate in professional organizations, or contribute to peer-reviewed literature demonstrate they're engaged with emerging developments that may prove crucial to your case. Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of digital forensics qualification is the field's extensive specialization. Digital forensics encompasses numerous distinct sub-disciplines, each requiring specialized knowledge and techniques. This specialization means that even highly qualified experts may lack relevant expertise for specific case types. Consider the stark differences between sub-disciplines: A computer forensics expert may excel at recovering deleted files from laptops and analyzing user activity on desktop systems, but lack the specialized knowledge needed for cell site location analysis that could establish a suspect's whereabouts during a critical timeframe. Similarly, a video forensics expert skilled at authenticating and enhancing surveillance footage might have little experience with mobile device forensics necessary to recover deleted messaging app data from a smartphone. Even within seemingly related areas, critical differences exist. A network forensics specialist who routinely investigates corporate data breaches may lack the specific expertise needed to properly investigate peer-to-peer child exploitation cases. This specialization means you must assess qualification specifically for your case's technical requirements. An expert with impressive credentials and extensive experience may still be the wrong choice if their expertise doesn't align with your specific technical needs. When evaluating potential experts, ask pointed questions about their experience with the precise technologies and scenarios relevant to your matter. Request case examples demonstrating successful work in your specific sub-discipline. The most qualified expert for your case isn't necessarily the one with the most impressive overall resume, but rather the one with the most relevant specialized expertise. Beyond credentials and experience, how an expert approaches their work reveals much about their qualification. Digital forensics demands rigorous methodology to ensure evidence integrity and reliable findings. Qualified experts should clearly explain how they follow established methodological standards from organizations like the Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence, or SWGDE, or the National Institute of Standards and Technology, or NIST. They should keep detailed documentation of their processes, including chain of custody procedures, tool validation methods, and analytical techniques. Transparency about limitations is equally important. The best experts acknowledge the boundaries of what digital evidence can reliably show and avoid making overreaching conclusions. They should openly discuss potential alternative explanations for their findings and clearly distinguish between factual observations and interpretive opinions. This methodological rigor separates truly qualified experts from those who may have impressive credentials but lack the disciplined approach needed for forensically sound work. Determining if a digital forensics expert is qualified requires looking beyond any single credential or experience to evaluate their complete professional profile. The most qualified experts show technical competence through certifications, practical capability through relevant experience, specialized knowledge in your specific sub-discipline and methodological rigor in their approach. For attorneys and organizations seeking digital forensics expertise, this holistic assessment approach takes more effort than simply checking for a license or certification. However, this investment in thorough qualification evaluation pays off through reliable digital evidence analysis that can withstand scrutiny in legal proceedings. In a field where technology changes daily and new challenges constantly emerge, the most qualified digital forensics experts aren't just those with static credentials, but those who combine foundational knowledge with specialized expertise and a commitment to methodological excellence. By evaluating potential experts across these dimensions, you can find truly qualified professionals capable of handling your specific digital evidence needs.
Forbes
12-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Role Of Compliance Certifications In Tech Excellence
Guy Yehiav, a recognized industry thought leader, is the president of SmartSense, IoT solutions for the enterprise. getty In a business environment where data breaches and cyber threats are becoming increasingly common, the criticality of compliance certifications in the tech industry cannot be overstated. For forward-looking tech companies, these certifications not only validate their commitment to upholding the highest standards of governance, trust and security but also play a crucial role in risk avoidance. Compliance certifications provide a roadmap for organizations to follow to enhance their overall security posture and demonstrate their dedication to protecting sensitive information. When a tech company first starts out, priorities often center around innovation, securing funding and acquiring customers. Resources are scarce, and attention is focused on building the product, fighting for a right to win in target markets and maintaining cash flow. Compliance certifications such as ISO standards or SOC 2 Type 2 certification are often viewed as distant concerns—luxuries for later stages of growth. However, at some point in the maturity of the organization, the role of compliance certifications becomes essential to scaling operations, safeguarding security, securing long-term success and demonstrating viability for potential exit opportunities. For example, an organization reaches $100 million in valuation and is being scrutinized during an audit or through an acquisition process. Potential buyers could raise red flags about insecure components, open-source vulnerabilities or inadequate standard operating procedures (SOPs). These shortcomings can jeopardize lucrative exit opportunities, audit approvals or investment rounds. Compliance should not be ignored in the startup maturity process. While it may not be feasible to invest heavily in certifications at the outset, taking deliberate, incremental steps sets the stage for smoother growth. Executive leaders of technology startups should foster the adoption of simple practices to prepare for future certifications without breaking the bank. Even in the absence of formal compliance requirements, startups should audit and document processes from day one. This practice creates a foundational digital record for future audits, making compliance efforts less resource-intensive when the time comes. Ensuring all code is reviewed with proper comments helps maintain clarity and accountability. Clean, well-documented code not only facilitates collaboration but also aligns with compliance standards. For companies relying on contract manufacturers, agreements should be transparent and traceable. Documenting supply chain practices ensures accountability and positions the company for certifications that demonstrate excellence in quality management. Compliance certifications are not merely badges of honor to parade around. The process it takes to go through them serves critical operational and strategic functions. For example, ISO standards streamline supply chain management, manufacturing processes and financial audits. Their structured approach promotes consistency and quality, making them essential for scaling efficiently. SOC 2 Type 2 Compliance certification goes beyond one-time evaluations. It involves a yearlong observation of systems, networks and processes to identify vulnerabilities. The insights gained during this process enable organizations to address security gaps, enhancing resilience against threats. For companies servicing highly regulated industries, such as pharmaceuticals, having the capability to offer your solution in a generic good practice (GxP) standards environment may be necessary. While you may not directly service patients, supporting clients who do requires supporting their compliance frameworks. For technology leaders, determining when to pursue compliance certifications often feels like navigating a chicken-and-egg dilemma. Too early, and resources may be unavailable. Too late, and the cost of remediation and lost opportunities may skyrocket. The optimal time lies at an inflection point when the organization has achieved initial traction and is poised for scale. Boards and customers often drive the timing of compliance initiatives. While certifications require investment, they also minimize risks and open doors to new markets. Potential prospects in a highly regulated industry may demand compliance as a prerequisite for doing business. Compliance certifications are critical to achieving excellence in the tech industry. By starting early—documenting processes, adhering to best practices and fostering a culture of accountability—companies can reduce the resource strain of compliance. As companies endeavor to scale responsibly, meeting customer expectations for security is essential. Technology leaders who take a proactive, strategic approach will navigate the complexities of compliance while positioning themselves for sustainable growth. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
