19 July 2026

Vigilant Asia Becomes a Founding Signatory of the CREST AI Charter

KUALA LUMPUR, 19th July 2026 - Vigilant Asia, a leading Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) in Malaysia, is proud to announce that it is among the founding signatories of the CREST AI Charter, joining a global community of cybersecurity organisations committed to the responsible, transparent and accountable use of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity.

The CREST AI Charter brings together cybersecurity providers that recognise the growing importance of trusted AI practices as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in security services and operations.

As one of the founding signatories representing Asia, Vigilant Asia is reinforcing its commitment to responsible AI practices and supporting the development of trusted standards for AI-enabled cybersecurity across Malaysia, Southeast Asia and the wider Asia Pacific region.

What Is CREST?

CREST is an international not-for-profit organisation representing the technical information security industry. It provides accreditation, certification and professional standards designed to help organisations identify cybersecurity providers that have demonstrated their capabilities against rigorous professional and technical requirements.

Vigilant Asia has a longstanding relationship with CREST and is CREST-accredited across its Security Operations Centre (SOC), Penetration Testing and Cyber Incident Response services.

Why responsible AI matters right now

AI is no longer an experiment in cybersecurity. It is already embedded in how services are delivered. CREST's own research, based on 62 cybersecurity providers across 19 countries, found that:

69% already use AI within their penetration testing workflows
76% have increased their AI use over the past year
47% use AI to support reporting
44% for scanning and enumeration

The research highlights how quickly AI adoption is progressing across the cybersecurity industry. As its use increases, so does the need for appropriate oversight, validation and governance.

Vigilant Asia's Commitment to Responsible AI

As a CREST-accredited MSSP serving organisations across Malaysia and the Asia Pacific region, Vigilant Asia recognises that cybersecurity innovation must be balanced with accountability and trust.

Becoming a founding signatory of the CREST AI Charter reinforces Vigilant Asia's commitment to responsible AI and reflects the company's broader approach to maintaining professional standards while adopting new cybersecurity technologies.

"AI is rapidly changing the cybersecurity landscape and creating significant opportunities for organisations across Malaysia and Southeast Asia. However, innovation must always be balanced with responsibility, transparency and accountability. By becoming a founding signatory of the CREST AI Charter, Vigilant Asia is reaffirming our commitment to responsible AI and to maintaining high standards of cybersecurity as these technologies continue to evolve."

- Ramesh Naidu, Chief Operating Officer, Vigilant Asia

Vigilant Asia believes that AI should enhance the capabilities of cybersecurity professionals while retaining the human expertise and judgement required to make critical security decisions.

What Partner with an MSSP That Is a CREST AI Charter Signatory?

Partnering with an MSSP that is a CREST AI Charter signatory can provide several potential benefits.

Commitment to AI Security Best Practices

A CREST AI Charter signatory demonstrates its commitment to principles for the responsible and secure use of AI in cybersecurity. This proactive approach helps organisations consider AI-related security risks as part of their broader cybersecurity strategy, rather than addressing them only after an incident occurs.

Stronger Focus on Security and Governance

AI introduces new considerations around data security, accountability and governance. Working with a provider that recognises these considerations can help organisations take a more structured approach to managing AI-related cybersecurity risks.

Access to Cybersecurity Expertise and AI Innovation

An experienced MSSP can help organisations adopt new technologies while maintaining an appropriate balance between automation and human expertise.

AI can support security teams by improving the speed and scale of threat detection, analysis and investigation, while experienced cybersecurity professionals remain responsible for validating findings, making decisions and responding to threats.

Alignment with Evolving Cybersecurity Standards

The cybersecurity industry is continuing to develop standards and best practices for the responsible use of AI. Working with a provider engaged with these developments can help organisations stay informed as expectations around AI governance, security and assurance continue to evolve.

If your board is asking how your cybersecurity provider uses AI, contact us for a free consultation and we’ll walk you through our approach in plain language.

About Vigilant Asia

Vigilant Asia is an award-winning Managed Security Service Provider with CREST-accredited expertise across Security Operations Centre (SOC), Penetration Testing and Cyber Incident Response, offering tailored cybersecurity solutions and services. We make it our responsibility to keep your company secure and protected within the hyperconnected world. Vigilant Asia is part of Efficient E-Solutions Bhd, listed on the mainboard of BURSA.

FAQ

1What is the CREST AI Charter?

The CREST AI Charter is an industry initiative that brings together cybersecurity organisations committed to the responsible, transparent and accountable use of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity. It is supported by nine principles covering accountability and governance, transparency of use, documentation and auditability, boundaries and control, data handling and sovereignty, security and confidentiality, secure development of AI tooling, supply chain assurance, and resilience and business continuity.

2What does it mean to be a founding signatory of the CREST AI Charter?

Founding signatories are the first group of organisations to sign the Charter. The founding group spans cybersecurity organisations across regions including Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.

3Is the CREST AI Charter the same as CREST accreditation?

No. CREST accreditation is an independently assessed standard covering how services such as penetration testing and security operations are delivered. The AI Charter is a public commitment to responsible, transparent and accountable AI use in cybersecurity. Vigilant Asia holds CREST accreditation for its Security Operations Centre and is separately a founding signatory of the Charter.

4Does signing the Charter mean AI replaces human testers?

No. Responsible AI use requires appropriate human oversight. People with the necessary expertise should remain responsible for reviewing AI-assisted activity, validating outputs, challenging conclusions and intervening where necessary.

5Why does this matter for organisations in Malaysia?

As Malaysian organisations increasingly adopt AI and digital technologies, they need to consider the cybersecurity and governance risks associated with these technologies. The CREST AI Charter supports greater awareness of responsible AI practices within cybersecurity and contributes to the development of trusted cybersecurity practices in Malaysia and the wider Asia Pacific region.

6How do I know if a provider is a signatory?

CREST publishes information about its AI Charter and signatory community on its CREST AI Hub.

7Does this change how Vigilant Asia delivers services?

The Charter formalises commitments that align with Vigilant Asia's existing approach as a CREST-accredited cybersecurity provider, including transparency, professional accountability, appropriate human oversight and responsible handling of client data.