Common Criteria Development Board (CCDB)

News: India was nominated to serve as the Chair of the Common Criteria Development Board from April 2026 to April 2028.

About Common Criteria Development Board (CCDB)

• The Common Criteria Development Board is the technical body that manages international standards for IT security evaluation under the Common Criteria framework.
• Operates under: The CCDB operates under the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA).
• Aim: The main aim of the CCDB is to develop and maintain the Common Criteria (CC) and the Common Methodology for IT Security Evaluation (CEM) for secure IT products.
• Key Aspects of CCDB
  • Technical Core of CCRA: The CCDB manages the international work programme for the Common Criteria (CC) and the Common Methodology for Information Technology Security Evaluation (CEM).
  • Focus on Security Standards: The board develops technical standards and evaluation criteria for secure global IT products.
  • Portal Management: It maintains the Common Criteria Portal, which is the authoritative global repository for certified secure IT products.
  • Global Security Evaluation: The board ensures that IT security standards remain robust, consistent, and capable of addressing emerging cyber threats.
• India’s Status: India has been a Certificate Authorizing Nation since 2013.
  • India participates through the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
  • The Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification Directorate (STQC) acts as India’s official Certification Body.

About Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA) International Framework: The CCRA is an international arrangement for mutual recognition of IT security certificates among member countries. Mutual Recognition System: Certificates issued by member countries are accepted without re-certification, which supports seamless international trade in secure IT products. Member Countries: The CCRA includes 20 certificate-authorizing nations and 18 certificate-consuming nations.