International Common Criteria

Introduction

In today's interconnected world, cybersecurity has become a major concern for businesses, governments, and individuals. As a result, many countries have developed their own cybersecurity standards and guidelines to protect their sensitive data and critical infrastructure. However, these standards can vary widely from country to country, making it difficult for organizations to ensure that their cybersecurity practices are up to par. To address this challenge, the International Common Criteria (CC) for Information Technology Security Evaluation was established as an internationally recognized standard for cybersecurity evaluation and certification.

What is the International Common Criteria?

The International Common Criteria is a global standard for evaluating and certifying the security of IT products and systems. The CC was developed by a group of government and industry experts from several countries, including the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The standard is designed to provide a consistent and reliable way to evaluate the security of IT products and systems across national borders.

The CC is a set of guidelines for the evaluation of security properties of IT products and systems. The guidelines provide a common framework for evaluating security features such as access control, confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The CC evaluation process involves a set of rigorous testing and evaluation procedures that are designed to ensure that a product or system meets the required security standards.

The CC evaluation process is divided into several levels, each of which represents a higher level of assurance. At the lowest level (Evaluation Assurance Level 1), the evaluation is focused on the basic functionality of the product or system. At the highest level (Evaluation Assurance Level 7), the evaluation is focused on the most critical security properties and requires the most rigorous testing and evaluation procedures.

Benefits of the International Common Criteria

The International Common Criteria offers several benefits to organizations that use IT products and systems. One of the most significant benefits is that it provides a common framework for evaluating the security of IT products and systems across national borders. This means that organizations can be assured that their cybersecurity practices meet the same standards regardless of where they operate.

Another benefit of the CC is that it provides a level of assurance to customers and stakeholders that the IT products and systems they are using have been rigorously tested and evaluated. This can help to build trust and confidence in the cybersecurity practices of organizations.

The CC also offers a way for organizations to demonstrate compliance with cybersecurity regulations and standards. Many countries and industries have cybersecurity regulations that require organizations to meet specific security standards. By using CC-certified products and systems, organizations can demonstrate that they are meeting these requirements.

Challenges of the International Common Criteria

Despite its many benefits, the International Common Criteria also faces several challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the cost and complexity of the evaluation process. The evaluation process can be time-consuming and expensive, particularly for products and systems that require a high level of assurance.

Another challenge of the CC is that it can be difficult for organizations to understand and navigate the evaluation process. The CC guidelines are complex and technical, and the evaluation process involves a significant amount of documentation and testing. This can make it difficult for organizations to know what to expect during the evaluation process and how to prepare for it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the International Common Criteria is an internationally recognized standard for evaluating and certifying the security of IT products and systems. The CC provides a common framework for evaluating the security of IT products and systems across national borders, which can help to build trust and confidence in cybersecurity practices. However, the CC evaluation process can be time-consuming and expensive, and it can be difficult for organizations to navigate. Despite these challenges, the CC remains a valuable tool for organizations looking to improve their cybersecurity practices and demonstrate compliance with cybersecurity regulations and standards.