Understanding the Common Criteria for Information Technology Security Evaluation
As technology continues to advance, the need for secure systems becomes increasingly vital. Companies seeking to ensure that their products and services are reliable and secure often rely on a widely recognized benchmark known as the Common Criteria.
What is the Common Criteria?
The Common Criteria is a global standard for security evaluation that provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating the security features of information technology products and systems. The standard was developed by the National Security Agency (NSA) of the United States, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), in collaboration with other international security organizations.
Why is it important?
The Common Criteria provides a way to evaluate the security of IT products based on a set of standardized criteria. This helps ensure that products meet a certain level of security requirements, and that they are evaluated and certified according to a common set of standards. It also allows for easier comparison between different products and creates a level playing field for vendors.
How does it work?
The evaluation process involves multiple parties, including the vendor, the evaluator, and the certification authority. The vendor is responsible for submitting their product for evaluation, while the evaluator tests the product against the Common Criteria. Once the product passes the evaluation, the certification authority issues a certificate to the vendor.
The Common Criteria evaluation process is divided into seven different assurance levels, with each level requiring higher levels of security and more extensive testing. The levels range from EAL1 (the lowest level) to EAL7 (the highest level).
Real-world examples
The importance of the Common Criteria can be seen in numerous high-profile cases, such as the evaluation of the BlackBerry Smart Card Reader, which was certified at EAL4+. Another example is the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system, which was certified at EAL4+ as well.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Common Criteria provides a standardized way to evaluate the security of IT products and systems. It ensures that products are tested and certified according to a common set of standards, and that they meet a required level of security. The Common Criteria is essential for companies seeking to create secure products and services in an increasingly digital world.
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