Common Criteria

Definition

Common Criteria is an international standard (ISO/IEC 15408) that provides a framework for evaluating the security properties of information technology products and systems. This framework helps organizations ensure that these products meet specific security requirements, which is particularly vital in environments that utilize hypervisors for virtualization. By standardizing the evaluation process, Common Criteria assists in establishing trust in IT products by providing assurance that they have been rigorously tested and certified against recognized security criteria.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Common Criteria is widely used across various industries, including government and defense sectors, to ensure the security of IT products.
2. The framework allows vendors to demonstrate compliance with security standards, making it easier for consumers to assess product reliability.
3. Evaluations are conducted by independent laboratories accredited by national bodies to maintain impartiality and credibility.
4. Common Criteria can be applied to various types of products, including operating systems, firewalls, and hypervisors, ensuring a broad range of security assessments.
5. Achieving a high Evaluation Assurance Level can significantly enhance a product's marketability and trustworthiness among consumers.

Review Questions

• How does Common Criteria enhance the security assurance for hypervisor products in virtualization environments?
  • Common Criteria enhances security assurance for hypervisor products by providing a standardized evaluation framework that assesses their security features. By requiring hypervisors to undergo rigorous testing against predefined security requirements, organizations can trust that these products have been validated for their reliability and protection against vulnerabilities. This level of assurance is crucial in virtualization environments where multiple operating systems run on a single physical machine, creating potential security risks.
• What role do Evaluation Assurance Levels (EAL) play within the Common Criteria framework for assessing hypervisor security?
  • Evaluation Assurance Levels (EAL) are critical in the Common Criteria framework as they indicate the depth of evaluation an IT product has undergone. For hypervisors, achieving a higher EAL demonstrates a more rigorous assessment of their security capabilities, which includes testing for potential vulnerabilities and ensuring compliance with strict security standards. This helps organizations make informed decisions when selecting hypervisors, as those with higher EAL ratings are typically seen as more secure and reliable.
• Discuss the impact of Common Criteria certification on vendor strategies within the competitive landscape of hypervisor technologies.
  • Common Criteria certification can significantly influence vendor strategies in the hypervisor technology market by enhancing their credibility and competitive edge. Vendors that achieve certification can effectively market their products as compliant with internationally recognized security standards, appealing to organizations that prioritize security. Furthermore, this certification can open doors to government contracts and partnerships, as many agencies require compliance with Common Criteria before procurement. Consequently, vendors may invest more in securing certifications as part of their broader strategy to gain market share and build trust with potential clients.

Related terms

Evaluation Assurance Level (EAL): A numeric grade that indicates the depth and rigor of the evaluation performed on an IT product, ranging from EAL1 (lowest) to EAL7 (highest).

Security Target (ST): A document that outlines the security requirements and objectives of an IT product being evaluated under Common Criteria.

Certification: The formal recognition that a product has met specific security standards through a defined evaluation process, providing assurance to users.