Bahrain-based Ithmaar Bank has earned international recognition for its information security processes when it was formally awarded the ISO27001 certification.

The certification process involved a rigorous audit, conducted by Bureau Veritas, on the bank's information security management system.

Lead auditors from Bureau Veritas performed detailed evaluation and assessment across the bank against the criteria set out by the ISO 27001 standard.

Established in 1828, Bureau Veritas is a global leader in testing, inspection and certification services, with operations in more than 140 countries.

Ithmaar Bank chief executive Ahmed Abdul Rahim received the ISO 27001 certificate from Bureau Veritas Bahrain chief executive Zulfiqar Haider at a ceremony held in the Ithmaar Bank headquarters.

"The ISO27001 certification is a result of focus on adopting and implementing global standards and best practices to ensure the effectiveness, efficiency, confidentiality and integrity of our day to day IT operations," said Rahim.

Ithmaar Bank's head of information technology department Yousif Al Khan said the bank always considered customers' data to be of vital importance and earning the certification confirmed the bank's serious approach to security of the data.

"This accreditation will further enhance customer confidence and reinforce Ithmaar's position as a pioneering Islamic retail bank.

"It also sets the stage for the launch of new, innovative electronic services for our retail and corporate customers," he said.

"The ISO 27001 standard provided a robust model for information security risk assessment and security design, implementation, and management.

"With its comprehensive approach, the standard helps ensure the adoption of appropriate security controls that protect the information of customers and other stakeholders," he added.-TradeArabia News Service