Bella Vista, NSW, Australia – 6 May 2026 – Risk Associates, an established risk and cybersecurity compliance and assessment firm with over 25 years of experience, today announced it has achieved CREST (International) accreditation for Penetration Testing, a globally recognised benchmark for cybersecurity service providers.
This accreditation marks a significant milestone for Risk Associates, formally recognising the organisation’s capability to deliver high-quality, independent penetration testing services in line with the internationally accepted standards. This achievement reinforces Risk Associates’ commitment to technical excellence, rigorous quality assurance and trusted cybersecurity practices, further strengthening its position as a global provider of security and compliance services.
With more than two decades of experience in risk and cybersecurity advisory and assessments, Risk Associates has established a consistent approach to delivering structured, high-assurance security testing and vulnerability assessment services across a range of industries. The CREST (International) accreditation provides formal validation of this approach and aligns the firm with an international network of trusted providers.
Nick Benson, CEO of CREST (International), said: “As demand for trusted cyber security services and professional standards is on the rise, we are thrilled to welcome Risk Associates to our community and congratulate them for achieving accreditation for its Penetration Testing services”.
Dr Aftab Rizvi, Chief Executive Officer of Risk Associates, stated: “With over 25 years of experience in this industry, our commitment has consistently been to deliver work with precision, enhancing capability, upholding high standards, and establishing client trust. The CREST (International) accreditation serves as formal acknowledgment of these efforts, providing independent verification of our operational approach and the thoroughness applied to security testing, particularly within critical assurance environments.”
Hussain Zaidi, Senior Manager of Risk Associates, further remarked: “From a service delivery standpoint, this accreditation holds considerable significance for our clients. It serves as clear validation of our methodology for conducting penetration testing, not only from a technical perspective but also with respect to consistency and quality. As organizations encounter increasingly complex risks and heightened expectations, the presence of an independent industry benchmark provides substantial assurance and added value.”
This sentiment was echoed by Kashif Hassan, Managing Director of Risk Associates, who stated, “We are delighted to add CREST (International) accreditation to our portfolio, further enhancing our reputation and capabilities. We are confident that this recognition will reassure our clients that our services are delivered by a highly competent team, adhering to industry-accepted standards.”
About Risk Associates
With over 25 years in cybersecurity testing and compliance, Risk Associates is a global cybersecurity compliance, testing and assessment service provider, Risk Associates is PCI SSC Qualified Security Assessor Company (QSAC), PCI Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV), PCI Secure Software Framework (SSF), PCI PIN, and PCI 3DS Assessor. The firm also employs Australian Signals Directorate approved IRAP assessor, reflecting its expertise in specialized security assessments across various regulatory environments. These credentials establish Risk Associates as a reliable partner for industry-validated security and compliance solutions.
About CREST (International)
CREST (International) is a global not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising standards and building trust in the cybersecurity profession.
Established in the UK in 2006, CREST (International) works with its international community of Member companies and practitioners to promote excellence, integrity and professional development across the cyber ecosystem. Through robust standards, accreditation frameworks and skills pathways, CREST (International) helps organisations buy cybersecurity services with confidence and supports practitioners in developing trusted, globally recognised careers.
Working closely with governments, regulators and industry stakeholders, CREST (International) plays an active role in shaping policy, strengthening market confidence, and supporting the growth of a resilient, professional cybersecurity sector worldwide.
