The Crédit Agricole Group CERT is committed to a process of continuous improvement and compliance with international cybersecurity standards. In this context, our team has submitted its processes, organization, and tools to the SIM3 (Security Incident Management Maturity Model) assessment.

This assessment attests to the maturity of our incident response structure and its alignment with the best practices of the financial sector and the international CSIRT community.

What is the SIM3 Model?
The SIM3 model is a reference framework developed by the Open CSIRT Foundation (OCF). It allows for the objective and quantifiable assessment of the maturity of Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRT/CERT).

Unlike a simple technical checklist, SIM3 audits the team’s operational capacity across four fundamental quadrants:

  • O – Organization: The mandate, authority, mission definition, and security policies of the CERT.
  • H – Human: Skills management, code of conduct, training, and team resilience.
  • T – Tools: The adequacy of technical resources (ticketing systems, secure communication, detection).
  • P – Processes: The formalization of incident handling procedures, from prevention to resolution.

Results and Significance for our Partners and Clients Achieving this level of SIM3 maturity demonstrates the Crédit Agricole Group CERT’s (CERT-AG) ability to operate according to mastered and auditable processes. For our clients and banking partners, this certification guarantees:

  • Operational Reliability: Assurance that incidents are handled in a structured manner, reducing the risk of systemic impact.
  • International Interoperability: Compliance with standards required by Trusted Introducer (TI) and the TF-CSIRT network, facilitating cooperation during cross-border incidents.
  • Enhanced Compliance: Alignment with growing operational resilience requirements (such as DORA) specific to the financial sector.

Certification Details

  • Certification Date: September 2021
  • Maturity Level Reached: Certified Trusted Introducer
  • Auditor: OpenCSIRT
  • Trusted Introducer Status: https://tf-csirt.org/trusted-introducer/directory/teams/cert-credit-agricole/