In today’s digitally driven world, cybersecurity is no longer a nice-to-have, but a must-have for any organization that handles sensitive information. With the increasing number of cyber threats and data breaches, governments and industries have established various standards and certifications to ensure the security and integrity of products and systems. One such certification is the Common Criteria (CC) certification, a globally recognized standard for evaluating the security of IT products. But, have you ever wondered how much does Common Criteria certification cost?
Understanding Common Criteria Certification
Before diving into the costs, it’s essential to understand what Common Criteria certification entails. Common Criteria is an international standard for evaluating the security of IT products, including software, hardware, and firmware. The certification process involves a rigorous evaluation of a product’s security features, ensuring they meet the required protection profiles. The certification is typically sought by organizations that require high levels of security, such as government agencies, financial institutions, and defense contractors.
The CC certification process involves several stages, including:
- Security target (ST) evaluation: This stage involves defining the security requirements of the product and identifying the potential threats.
- Protection profile (PP) evaluation: Here, the evaluator assesses the product’s security features against the identified threats.
- Security functional requirements (SFR) evaluation: In this stage, the evaluator examines the product’s security functionalities, such as encryption and access control.
- Security assurance requirements (SAR) evaluation: The evaluator assesses the product’s security assurance measures, including testing and validation.
The Cost Factors of Common Criteria Certification
The cost of Common Criteria certification can vary widely, depending on several factors. Here are some of the key cost factors to consider:
Scope and Complexity of the Product
The complexity and scope of the product being certified have a significant impact on the certification cost. Products with more features, complex architectures, or multiple components require more extensive evaluation, leading to higher costs.
- For example, a simple encryption product may require a minimal evaluation scope, resulting in lower costs. In contrast, a complex network device with multiple security features may require a more comprehensive evaluation, increasing the costs.
Evaluation Assurance Level (EAL)
The Evaluation Assurance Level (EAL) is a measure of the breadth and depth of the evaluation. There are seven EAL levels, ranging from EAL1 (functionally tested) to EAL7 (formally verified and tested). Higher EAL levels require more extensive evaluation, leading to higher costs.
- For instance, an EAL2 evaluation may cost significantly less than an EAL5 evaluation, which requires more rigorous testing and validation.
Labor Costs and Expertise
The cost of labor and expertise also plays a significant role in the certification cost. The evaluation process requires specialized skills and expertise, including security evaluation, testing, and validation.
- The cost of hiring experienced security evaluation professionals, testing teams, and experts in specific technologies can add up quickly.
Testing and Validation
The testing and validation phase of the evaluation process can be time-consuming and costly. The cost of testing and validation depends on the scope and complexity of the product, as well as the EAL level.
- For example, testing a product’s encryption algorithms may require specialized equipment and expertise, increasing the costs.
Facility and Infrastructure Costs
The evaluation process may require specialized facilities and infrastructure, such as secure labs and testing environments. These costs can add up quickly, especially for higher EAL levels.
- For instance, setting up a secure lab for EAL5 and EAL7 evaluations can be expensive, requiring significant investments in infrastructure and equipment.
Certification Body Fees
The certification body fees also contribute to the overall cost of certification. These fees vary depending on the country and the certification body.
- For example, the cost of certification with a national certification body, such as the National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) in the United States, may be different from the cost of certification with an international certification body.
Average Cost of Common Criteria Certification
Estimating the average cost of Common Criteria certification is challenging, as it depends on the factors mentioned above. However, here are some rough estimates of the costs associated with different EAL levels:
| EAL Level | Average Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| EAL2 | $50,000 – $100,000 |
| EAL3 | $100,000 – $200,000 |
| EAL4 | $200,000 – $400,000 |
| EAL5 | $400,000 – $800,000 |
| EAL6 | $800,000 – $1,200,000 |
| EAL7 | $1,200,000 – $2,000,000 |
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Common Criteria Certification
While the cost of Common Criteria certification may seem high, it’s essential to consider the benefits it provides. Here are some of the advantages of obtaining CC certification:
- Enhanced Security: CC certification ensures that a product meets rigorous security standards, providing a high level of assurance to customers and stakeholders.
- Increased Trust: CC certification is recognized globally, increasing trust among customers, partners, and governments.
- Competitive Advantage: CC certification can be a differentiator in a competitive market, providing a unique selling point for products and services.
- Regulatory Compliance: CC certification can help organizations comply with various regulations and standards, such as the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the United States’ Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS).
By considering the costs and benefits of Common Criteria certification, organizations can make an informed decision about pursuing this valuable certification.
Conclusion
The cost of Common Criteria certification can vary widely, depending on the scope, complexity, and EAL level of the product. However, the benefits of CC certification, including enhanced security, increased trust, competitive advantage, and regulatory compliance, make it a valuable investment for organizations that require high levels of security. By understanding the cost factors and benefits, organizations can make informed decisions about pursuing CC certification, ultimately enhancing their products’ security and credibility.
What is Common Criteria Certification and why is it important?
Common Criteria Certification is an internationally recognized standard for evaluating the security of information technology products. It is a rigorous testing and evaluation process that ensures a product meets a certain level of security requirements. The certification is important because it provides assurance to governments, enterprises, and individuals that a product has met a specific set of security standards, making it a trusted choice for protecting sensitive information.
The importance of Common Criteria Certification cannot be overstated. In today’s digital age, cybersecurity threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and the consequences of a security breach can be devastating. By achieving Common Criteria Certification, vendors can demonstrate their commitment to security and give their customers peace of mind. For government agencies and enterprises, the certification provides a level of assurance that the products they use meet the highest security standards, reducing the risk of data breaches and cyber attacks.
What are the different Evaluation Assurance Levels (EALs) in Common Criteria?
The Evaluation Assurance Levels (EALs) in Common Criteria are a set of seven levels, ranging from EAL1 (functionally tested) to EAL7 (formally verified, design and tested). Each level represents a increasing level of security assurance, with higher levels requiring more rigorous testing and evaluation. The EALs provide a way for vendors to tailor their security evaluation to their specific needs and requirements.
Choosing the right EAL depends on the specific security requirements of the product and the level of assurance needed. For example, a product requiring a high level of security, such as a cryptographic module, may require an EAL5 or EAL6 evaluation. On the other hand, a product with lower security requirements, such as a network device, may require an EAL2 or EAL3 evaluation. By selecting the appropriate EAL, vendors can ensure that their product meets the necessary security standards while minimizing costs and resources.
What are the costs associated with Common Criteria Certification?
The costs associated with Common Criteria Certification can be significant and vary depending on the complexity of the product, the level of security required, and the EAL chosen. The costs can be broken down into several categories, including preparation costs, evaluation costs, and maintenance costs. Preparation costs include the expenses associated with preparing the product for evaluation, such as documentation, testing, and tool development. Evaluation costs include the fees paid to the evaluation laboratory and the costs associated with testing and evaluation. Maintenance costs include the ongoing expenses associated with maintaining the certification, such as periodic re-evaluation and updates.
The costs of Common Criteria Certification can be substantial, especially for smaller vendors or those with limited resources. However, the benefits of certification, including increased credibility, trust, and competitiveness, can far outweigh the costs. By understanding the costs associated with certification, vendors can plan and budget accordingly, ensuring that the certification process is as smooth and efficient as possible.
How long does the Common Criteria Certification process take?
The length of the Common Criteria Certification process can vary significantly, depending on several factors, including the complexity of the product, the level of security required, and the EAL chosen. On average, the process can take anywhere from 6 to 24 months or more. The process involves several stages, including preparation, evaluation, and certification, and each stage requires a significant amount of time and effort.
The preparation stage, which includes preparation of the product, documentation, and testing, can take several months. The evaluation stage, which involves testing and evaluation by an accredited laboratory, can take several months to a year or more. The certification stage, which involves review and approval by the certification body, can take several weeks to a few months. By understanding the length of the certification process, vendors can plan and budget accordingly, ensuring that the certification is achieved in a timely and efficient manner.
What are the benefits of achieving Common Criteria Certification?
The benefits of achieving Common Criteria Certification are numerous and significant. One of the primary benefits is increased credibility and trust with customers, governments, and enterprises. The certification provides assurance that the product has met a certain level of security requirements, making it a trusted choice for protecting sensitive information. Another benefit is increased competitiveness, as vendors with certified products are more likely to be considered for contracts and projects.
Other benefits of Common Criteria Certification include reduced risk of security breaches and cyber attacks, improved product security, and compliance with government and industry regulations. The certification can also provide a competitive advantage, as vendors with certified products are more likely to be considered for contracts and projects. Additionally, the certification process can identify and mitigate security vulnerabilities, improving the overall security of the product.
Can I self-certify my product or do I need to work with a third-party laboratory?
Vendors cannot self-certify their products to Common Criteria standards. The certification process requires the involvement of a third-party laboratory, known as a Certification Body (CB) or a Laboratory (Lab), that is accredited by a government or a national authority. The laboratory evaluates the product against the Common Criteria security requirements and provides a detailed evaluation report to the certification body.
Working with a third-party laboratory provides an independent and impartial evaluation of the product, ensuring that the certification is based on a rigorous and objective assessment of the product’s security. The laboratory brings expertise and experience in evaluating products against the Common Criteria standards, ensuring that the product meets the required security level. By working with a third-party laboratory, vendors can ensure that their product meets the highest security standards, providing assurance to customers and stakeholders.
How do I maintain my Common Criteria Certification over time?
Maintenance of Common Criteria Certification is an ongoing process that requires periodic re-evaluation and updates to ensure that the product continues to meet the required security standards. The maintenance process involves several activities, including monitoring changes to the product, updating documentation, and performing periodic re-evaluation and testing.
The frequency of maintenance depends on the EAL chosen and the level of security required. In general, higher EALs require more frequent maintenance, as they require a higher level of assurance. Vendors must budget and plan for maintenance costs, which can include updates to documentation, testing, and evaluation. By maintaining the certification, vendors can ensure that their product continues to meet the required security standards, providing ongoing assurance to customers and stakeholders.