Novell's SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 First Linux Distribution to Complete Evaluation Assurance Level EAL4+
IBM and Novell today announced that SUSE® LINUX Enterprise Server 9 has successfully completed a Common Criteria evaluation to achieve a new level of security certification that will further enable Linux to be adopted by governments and government agencies for mission-critical and command-and-control operations.
In addition, the two companies cooperatively achieved US Department of Defense Common Operating Environment compliance, a Defense Information Systems Agency requirement for military computing products.
Novell’s SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 on IBM eServers has achieved Controlled Access Protection Profile under the Common Criteria for Information Security Evaluation, also referred to as CAPP/EAL4+. A formal certificate issued by the Federal Office for Information Security in Germany (BSI) is expected to follow shortly.
While most IT professionals already acknowledge that Linux offers superior security when compared to other operating systems, the certification process is required for governments and governmental agencies to implement Linux solutions. The new, higher level of security certification clears the way for more rapid adoption of Linux by governments in the United States and around the world.
“Another barrier to the adoption of Linux falls today,” said IBM’s Daniel Frye, vice president, Linux Technology Center. “Not only does this pave the way for faster adoption by governments and their agencies, it also reinforces to businesses that Linux is an excellent choice to handle mission-critical applications.”
In addition, IBM and Novell announced that SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 had achieved Common Operating Environment compliance across IBM’s eServer line. This compliance – required by the United States Department of Defense – addresses functionality and interoperability requirements for commercially acquired IT products and allows Linux to be used in command-and-control systems, which represent some of the most sensitive and critical applications run by the government.
The Common Criteria is recognized internationally by IT professionals in businesses and government agencies as the ISO standard (ISO/IEC 15408) used by the Federal government and other organizations to assess security and assurance of technology products. It provides a necessary and standardized way of expressing security requirements and defines the respective set of rigorous criteria by which the product will be evaluated.
“The successful completion of this latest security evaluation is a clear demonstration of Novell's commitment to achieving industry approved security standards that will give our customers and partners the confidence to deploy SUSE Linux solutions,” said Markus Rex, vice president and general manager for SUSE Linux at Novell. “The close collaboration between Novell, IBM and atsec has been key to completing the security evaluation in record time.”
The evaluation announced today was completed by atsec information security, one of the world’s leading vendor-independent IT security consulting companies, and accredited in Germany by the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI).
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