DNV Announcement
DNV acquires Security Academy and SECO-Institute to strengthen its information security offer
Barendrecht, the Netherlands, November 27, 2025 – DNV, a global leader in management system certification and training, has announced the acquisition of Security Academy and SECO-Institute. The acquisitions strengthen DNV’s position in information- and cybersecurity, and personnel certification.
“We are delighted to join forces with Security Academy and SECO-Institute. The information- and cybersecurity threat is rapidly growing for every organization. It is challenging to identify and manage all related risks. By combining our strengths, we become a one-stop shop and trusted partner for companies across the Netherlands and other markets in Europe,” says Barbara Frencia, CEO of Business Assurance in DNV.
Security Academy and SECO-Institute offer a wide range of training and personnel certification within IT-Security, information- and cybersecurity. The acquired organization consists of two separate entities where Security Academy specializes in training and SECO-Institute focuses on personnel certification and course development aligned to the European Cybersecurity Skills Framework (ECSF). Both entities have a strong recognition in the Netherlands, particularly in the banking, financial, and government sectors.
The course portfolio includes business continuity, crisis management, and NIS2-related courses. The acquisition brings additional training expertise, extensive training opportunities and strong development and innovation capabilities to combine with and further enhance DNV’s training services.
“We are excited about the acquisition by DNV. The shared values and culture of both organizations form a strong foundation for our joint future. DNV and Security Academy have been working together for years in the field of training and this acquisition enables us to offer our clients a broader range of high-quality information security training as well as management system certification,” says founder Vincent Jentjens, founder of Security Academy and SECO-Institute.
About Security Academy and Seco-Institute
Established in 2007 and based in Woerden, the Netherlands, Security Academy and SECO-institute grown into a team of 13 employees. Security Academy is a training institute in the Netherlands that focuses specifically on the fields of information security, business continuity, privacy & data protection and crisis management. They offer courses at higher professional education level for (prospective) security specialists who are looking for more than just subject matter and can act as a bridge between management and operations.
SECO-Institute originated from the Security Academy and focuses on improving Security & Continuity through personnel certification, professional development courses, and networking opportunities. SECO-Institute offers a wide range of training and personnel certification in the field of IT-Security and Information Security.
About DNV
DNV is one of the world’s leading certification bodies. Whether tackling quality, environmental, safety, security or other challenges, DNV combines technical, industry and risk management expertise to help companies build confidence, continuity, and resilience.
Driven by its purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, DNV helps customers tackle the global transformations facing them and demands for operations aligned to sound ESG principles. That is why DNV is a trusted voice for many of the world’s most successful and forward-thinking companies.