Seventh NIAP Common Criteria Testing Laboratory approved for it security testing. (News Briefs).

The National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP), a U.S. Government collaboration between NIST and the National Security Agency, announced approval of the seventh information technology security testing laboratory under the Common Criteria Evaluation and Validation Scheme (CCEVS). The new Common Criteria Testing Laboratory (CCTL), a private company in Linthicum, MD, successfully completed the rigorous National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program process and has been accredited to conduct evaluations of commercial products against the Common Criteria for Information Technology Security Evaluation (ISO/IEC15408) standard. This process included an in-depth analysis of the laboratory's quality system and procedures, the administration of a comprehensive proficiency test covering the application of the Common Criteria and the Common Evaluation Methodology, and an on-site assessment of the laboratory facilities.

The Common Criteria evaluation technical reports produced by testing laboratories and validated by the NIAP CCEVS Validation Body are recognized by 14 other countries currently participating with the United States in the Arrangement on the Recognition of Common Criteria Certificates in the Field of Information Technology Security, signed during the First International Common Criteria Conference in May 2000. In order for the Validation Body to issue an internationally recognized common criteria certificate, the evaluation must have been conducted by an independent third party, laboratory in accordance with the requirements of the NIAP CCEVS.

CONTACT: Arnold Johnson, [phone]; [e-mail].