VODAFONE QATAR RECEIVES TOP GLOBAL INFORMATION SECURITY CERTIFICATION

Following an extensive evaluation process, Vodafone Qatar today announced that it is the first telecommunications operator in Qatar and the region to be awarded the prestigious ISO 27001:2013 certification, demonstrating the strength of the company’s information security management systems and operations in Qatar.

The ISO 27001:2013 certification, awarded by the British Standards Institution (BSI), sets the international standard for best practice management and enhancement of information security systems in telecommunications and other data-driven industries. Today’s announcement demonstrates to customers, partners and shareholders that Vodafone Qatar has successfully implemented a strong information security management system and is equipped to continually strengthen that system in line with global best practice over time.

His Excellency Nicholas Hopton, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Qatar from the UK, presented the certificate to Vodafone Qatar Chief Executive Officer Kyle Whitehill at a ceremony held Tuesday at the company’s Al Safwa Center, in the presence of BSI General Manager Omar Rashid.

“I congratulate each member of Vodafone Qatar’s talented team for achieving excellence and making this richly-deserved recognition possible,” said Kyle Whitehill. “This certification, which we are proud and privileged to receive, underscores the strength of our world-class data security infrastructure and network here. It allows individuals and businesses in Qatar to enjoy Vodafone’s innovative products and services safely and securely. We are honoured to be joined by His Excellency the Ambassador – a tireless advocate for British engineering and innovation in Qatar.”

Omar Rashid General Manager of British Standards Institution (BSI) said, “On Behalf our Board of Directors, our Chairman Sir David Brown, and the Regional Managing Director of the British Standards Institution Middle East and Africa Mr. Theuns Kotze, I would like to congratulate Vodafone in achieving 27001:2013 certification for Information Security management. I am delighted to be here to help mark this occasion and I applaud Vodafone for leading by example, with their commitment to achieve compliance to this International Standards.  I would like to congratulate all involved in this collective effort. Without our ability to design and accept Standards we could never have developed into such a complex society. Standards drive learning… Standards make comparison possible… Standards Fuel Creativity…. Your achievement will make a positive difference in developing the objectives of Vodafone while also maintaining international best practices in protecting valuable, sensitive data.”

BSI evaluates more than 100 aspects of the business before awarding this certification, including customer service and care, risk assessment, human resources, and vendor governance. This certification applies not only to Vodafone Qatar’s offices, but to retail and franchise outlets across Qatar.