“Disaster Recovery Operations”
Doha, 15 June 2010 - Qatar National Bank (QNB), following a detailed compliance audit, has been certified against the global ISO 27001:2005 standard by Bureau Veritas, which issues international ISO-standard certifications.
This certification makes QNB the first bank in Qatar to have its disaster recovery operations certified to this standard in addition to the recertification of its primary data centre operations after successfully demonstrating an effective sustenance of the ISO 27001:2005 certificate awarded to the Bank in 2007. It also greatly amplifies QNB’s domestic and international position as a leading bank committed to ensuring continuing service quality across all its banking channels.
Disaster Recovery Operations is critical to QNB in order to ensure that its large domestic and international customer base banking services and support functions are uninterrupted, especially during situations where Force Majeure, or unforeseen events, may cause disruption to the normal activities of the Bank as well as other public services.
The ISO 27001:2005 standard is designed to ensure the selection of adequate and proportionate security controls that protect information and technology assets. It specifies the requirements for operating, maintaining and progressively improving a documented Information Security Management System within the context of overall business risks.
Prior to assigning the ISO 27001:2005 standard, Bureau Veritas reviewed the Bank’s ISO 27001 records and documentation, as well as its disaster recovery site operations, in addition to the physical and environmental security controls at the Data Centre and Disaster Recovery Site.
QNB has been one of the leading advocates for internal controls that ensure transparency, ensure due diligence and uphold the overall corporate reputation of the financial sector in Qatar.
The Bank, with the active participation of senior executives in its internal audit and compliance divisions, have supported numerous events in Qatar dedicated to these subjects, and employs strict codes of conduct and staff procedures to meet both everyday banking needs as well as provide customers with essential banking services during situations of Force Majeure.
ISO standards are voluntarily adopted by members and are utilised by leading institutions keen on proving their commitment to global best practices in various areas of their activity.
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is a global network that identifies what International Standards are required by business, government and society. It develops them in partnership with the specific sectors that will put these standards to use and delivers them to be implemented worldwide.