AUB receives ISO 27001 Information Security Certification

Press release

Published May 2nd, 2011 - 11:42 GMT

During the honoring ceremony

Ahli United Bank has been awarded the prestigious ISO 27001 certification, in recognition of the Bank’s stringent information security management and its compliance with the highest international standards.

ISO 27001 is the highest globally accepted benchmark, developed specifically for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS), requiring that an organization adopt and implement a systematic approach to ensure its sensitive corporate information are kept safe and secure.

This certification verifies that the ISO information security framework is now an integral part of all processes within AUB’s IT infrastructure, and that the Bank has in place the necessary robust controls to ensure data integrity and security. The award was received by Shafqat Anwar, Deputy Group CEO-Operations and Technology, AUB, from the officials of TUV Rheinland, the Germany-based ISO certification body.

Commenting on AUB’s successful certification, Shafqat Anwar said, “The protection of customer information is crucial for any financial institution, and it is a top priority for us at Ahli United Bank. We strive to safeguard the confidentiality, availability and integrity of the data of our customers and business partners at all times. As one of the leading banks in the region, Ahli United Bank has a longstanding commitment to applying best practices and latest technologies to ensure a safe and efficient banking environment for all concerned”.

AUB’s Group Head of Technology GPV Rao added, “We are pleased to achieve this ISO 27001 certification, which comes as a further confirmation of our successful efforts to meet the industry's most stringent standards. AUB is now one of the first and few banks in the region to have both, achieved compliance with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) in 2009 and this latest ISO 27001 certification, further reinforcing AUB’s position as a regional leader in information security management and controls”.

The ISO 27001 certification was awarded following a detailed assessment by leading external auditors, TUV Rheinland, and marks another milestone by Ahli United Bank in achieving operational excellence and maximizing customer trust and confidence that banking with Ahli United Bank is safe and secure.

Background Information

Ahli United Bank

Ahli United Bank BSC (AUB) is a full fledged commercial and investment banking group providing wealth management, retail, corporate, treasury, offshore and private banking services.

The Group's businesses consist of the operations in Bahrain, a wholly owned subsidiary in the UK and associates in Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Egypt and Iraq. In Kuwait, AUB has an effective holding of 75% in the Bank of Kuwait and The Middle East while in Qatar, AUB has a 40% stake in Ahli Bank QSC. In Oman, AUB has a 35% stake in Ahli Bank SAOG while in Iraq AUB has a 49% stake in the Commercial Bank of Iraq. In Egypt, AUB, its associate banks and other Gulf financial institutions together hold an 89.3% stake in Ahli United Bank SAE. Apart from these banks, AUB has a nominal stake of 75% in KMEFIC, a brokerage, asset management and corporate finance company based in Kuwait with operations around the Arabian Gulf.

Overall, the AUB Group, through its subsidiaries and associates, operates through a network of 93 branch offices and employs over 3,000 people.

AUB’s stated mission is to create an unrivalled ability to meet customer needs, provide fulfillment and development for staff and to deliver outstanding shareholder value. AUB’s strategy is to expand through both organic growth and acquisition in order to act as a ‘multifaceted financial bridge’ between the international financial markets and its Gulf clients. It has sought to establish an operating presence in each of the Pan-GCC countries with a targeted 10% - 20% market share. To this end, AUB continues to develop and invest to increase its ability to acquire new businesses and rapidly integrate them with the bank’s systems. This development has helped accelerate progress in the delivery of financial services and penetration into targeted geographical markets.