Suriname’s leading financial institution DSB Bank has achieved the globally recognized ISO 27001 certification for information security, marking a major milestone in the bank’s commitment to international data protection standards. The official certificate was formally awarded Thursday by global certification body DNV (Det Norske Veritas) during the annual Suriname Energy, Oil & Gas Summit (SEOGS), with representatives from both organizations presenting the credential at the event.
This independent certification confirms that DSB Bank has structured its entire information security framework in full alignment with the strict international requirements laid out in the ISO 27001 standard. DNV, the certifying body, is a leading global classification and risk management firm that operates more than 300 offices across over 100 countries, with service lines covering maritime, energy, transportation, aviation, food production and healthcare. The firm has maintained a presence in Suriname since the 1990s, and 2026 marks its second consecutive participation in the SEOGS event.
DSB Bank first publicly announced its goal to obtain ISO 27001 certification in 2025. According to Ashna Kamta, Chief Risk Officer at DSB Bank, the institution had already aligned its internal practices with international information security standards for many years, but formal third-party certification delivers critical independent validation of these efforts.
Kamta noted that the certification process was no simple feat, requiring substantial financial and operational investment to meet all stringent requirements. The official certification track launched just one year ago, and completing the full process within 12 months stands as strong proof of DSB’s compliance with global benchmarks, she added. She also emphasized that comprehensive information security extends far beyond just digital cybersecurity protections.
“It also covers physical security of bank facilities, tightly controlled access protocols for different restricted areas, and clear authorization hierarchies for data access,” Kamta explained. “Beyond that, we require all our staff to handle customer data with extreme care, store documentation securely, and only disclose information to properly authorized individuals.”
As Suriname’s largest bank, DSB currently serves more than 200,000 customers across the country. The bank’s 2025 annual report shows that total assets under management grew 19% year-over-year from 2024, alongside consistent expansion in the adoption of digital banking services and point-of-sale digital payments among customers.
Kamta expects the new ISO 27001 certification will further strengthen trust among international investors and global business partners. DSB is positioning itself to play a central role in Suriname’s fast-growing emerging oil and gas sector, an industry that places extremely high demands on information security and risk management practices.
The certification also reflects a growing trend across Suriname’s business community, DNV representatives Ronald Von Bannisseht and Ruurdt Jukema pointed out. Demand for international third-party certifications has risen noticeably in recent years, driven largely by the expansion of the country’s offshore oil and gas industry. Local companies are increasingly recognizing that formal certification does more than improve internal risk management – it also strengthens their competitive standing in the global marketplace, the DNV representatives noted. To date, DNV has issued certifications to multiple Surinamese enterprises, including a number of companies active directly and indirectly in the oil and gas sector.