C‑SOC and its operational team at FORTH maintain a portfolio of internationally recognized certifications, ensuring the highest standards of cybersecurity competence and compliance:
Key Certifications
- TF‑CSIRT TRANSITS Certification – Reflects expertise in computer security incident response within the European CSIRT network.
- MSAB XRY & XAMN Certifications – Specialized mobile forensics certifications issued by MSAB, demonstrating skills in mobile device data extraction (XRY) and analytical review (XAMN).
- IRCA Certification – Accredited credential in ISO/IEC 27001 auditing, demonstrating expertise in information security management systems (ISMS).
- CompTIA Security+ Certification – Industry-recognized certification validating foundational knowledge in areas such as threat management, identity management, cryptography, and network security.
- PECB Certified Data Protection Officer (DPO) – An internationally recognized certification validating the competence to support organizations in implementing and monitoring GDPR compliance, including advising controllers and processors, performing impact assessments, and liaising with supervisory authorities.
- Security Analyst Level 1 (SAL1) – Issued by TryHackMe –
The Security Analyst Level 1 (SAL1) certification is a hands-on, practical certification that validates entry-level SOC analyst skills in Computing foundations, Cyber defence frameworks, Threat detection, Alert triage, Case report writing, Incident response and Analyst mindset using real-world scenarios.The SAL1 certification is an industry-recognised certification.
- Practical SOC Analyst Associate (PSAA) – Issued by TCM Security – A hands-on certification focused on SOC Level 1 analyst skills, including alert triage, log analysis, SIEM usage, phishing investigation, basic incident response workflows, and clear technical reporting based on real-world scenarios
Operational Relevance
These certifications collectively enhance C‑SOC’s operational excellence by:
- Ensuring incident response readiness. TF‑CSIRT TRANSITS certification guarantees that C‑SOC follows international best practices in identifying, reporting, and managing cyber incidents.
- Supporting digital forensics. MSAB credentials enable forensic investigation of mobile devices, critical in today’s mobile‑first threat landscape.
- Upholding audit & compliance standards. IRCA certification demonstrates the team's capacity to conduct and oversee audits in accordance with international information security management standards.
- Building security foundations. CompTIA Security+ ensures all personnel possess essential cybersecurity skills, facilitating a strong baseline of knowledge across the team.
Strategic Advantage
- Cross‑disciplinary capability: Deploying a team certified across incident response, forensics, audit, and general cybersecurity domains ensures versatility and depth in addressing diverse threats.
- Trust & credibility: These accreditations strengthen stakeholder confidence—be they academic institutions, SMEs, or governmental entities—in the effectiveness and reliability of C‑SOC’s operations.
- Facilitated collaboration: Compliance with recognized standards paves the way for seamless integration with EU cybersecurity networks (e.g., TF‑CSIRT), elevating C‑SOC’s regional influence.
