Introduction: The Core of the Information Society, The Importance of CC Certification
The deepening of the information society and accelerated digital transformation have significantly amplified the importance of cybersecurity. The reliability of information security products, in particular, is a critical factor directly linked to national security and business continuity. Against this backdrop, Common Criteria (CC) certification serves as an essential means to objectively evaluate the security functions of information security products and internationally prove their reliability. CC certification goes beyond simply verifying security; it encourages considering security from the product development stage and contributes to securing global market competitiveness. Recently, the operating system of KOMSCO (Korea Minting, Security Printing & ID Card Operating Corporation) and Tomato System's integrated authentication solution reconfirmed the importance of CC certification by obtaining it. However, calls for improving the time and cost associated with obtaining certification have also emerged, leading to active discussions on establishing a more efficient certification system.
Key Concepts and Principles: CC Certification Structure and Evaluation Assurance Level (EAL)
CC certification is an international standard for evaluating and certifying information security products, based on the ISO/IEC 15408 standard. Thirty-one countries worldwide participate in the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA), allowing a certification obtained in one participating country to be effective in others. CC evaluation comprehensively analyzes a product's Security Functional Requirements (SFR) and Security Assurance Requirements (SAR).
Security Functional Requirements (SFR) and Security Assurance Requirements (SAR)
SFR defines the specific security functions a product must provide, while SAR verifies whether these functions are correctly implemented and if security was adequately considered during the design and development processes. The level of SAR fulfillment is expressed as an Evaluation Assurance Level (EAL), structured into seven levels from EAL1 to EAL7. Higher EAL ratings indicate increased rigor and depth of evaluation; EAL5 and above are typically applied to national critical infrastructure and identity card-related systems. The evaluation process involves stages such as product analysis, design analysis, vulnerability analysis, and functional and assurance testing, performed by independent evaluation bodies. This systematic process objectively verifies a product's security reliability.
Latest Trends and Changes: Strengthening Global Regulations and Expanding Scope
CC certification continuously evolves to align with the rapidly changing cybersecurity landscape. Efforts to reflect technological changes and the threat environment continue, as evidenced by the revision of the Common Criteria and Common Methodology for Information Technology Security Evaluation (CC/CEM) standard itself, announced after five years. This standard revision is expected to impact related domestic and international regulations and policies in the future.
Software Product Liability and Regulatory Compliance
Specifically, with the explicit inclusion of software in the revised Product Liability Directive to be implemented by the European Union (EU) from December 2026, global regulations on the security and quality of software products are expected to strengthen further. This development highlights the importance of security evaluations like CC certification, promoting 'Security by Design' from the product development stage worldwide. Domestically, there is also a rising demand for overall compliance with security-related regulations, such as the emphasis on adhering to the Serious Accidents Punishment Act during Cloud Service Security Certification (CSAP) evaluations.
Expansion to Various Industrial Sectors
Furthermore, the scope of CC certification expands beyond traditional information security products to various industrial sectors, including smart home appliances, operating systems, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. This reflects a global movement to secure the reliability of the entire digital ecosystem. Conferences like 'SEC 2025' serve as important platforms for discussing these changes and future development directions.
Practical Application: The Value of CC Certification Through Real-World Cases
CC evaluation and certification are widely applied in practice for verifying the security of various information security products and systems. Key application examples include network security devices such as firewalls, Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS), and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS). Additionally, its scope continuously expands to include database encryption solutions, secure operating systems (OS), Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and more recently, smart home appliances and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
Application Cases for National Critical Infrastructure and Enterprise Solutions
Particularly in environments requiring high levels of security, such as public institutions, financial organizations, and the defense sector, obtaining CC certification acts as a prerequisite for product adoption. For instance, KOMSCO's (Korea Minting, Security Printing & ID Card Operating Corporation) acquisition of international CC certification for the IC chips and Chip Operating Systems (COS) supplied for electronic passports and national ID cards represents a significant achievement, internationally recognizing the security of national critical infrastructure. This contributes to securing public trust and enhancing national security.
Tomato System's integrated authentication solution, 'eXSignOn V4.0,' also clearly demonstrates how CC certification serves as a product's competitive edge and a means to build trust in the real market, having obtained CC certification and proven its reliability in the public and financial sectors. These cases emphasize that CC certification is more than just a technical standard; it is an essential requirement for product procurement and expansion in actual business environments.
Expert Recommendations: Efficient Utilization of CC Certification and Future Preparedness Strategy
💡 Technical Insight
Considerations for Technology Adoption: While CC certification is a powerful tool for ensuring product security reliability, the time and cost involved in the certification process remain a significant burden for companies. Therefore, businesses preparing for certification should establish clear objectives from the initial stages and leverage expert consulting to formulate efficient evaluation strategies. The 'Security by Design' approach, which considers security functions and assurance requirements from the product development phase, is particularly crucial. Furthermore, setting an appropriate EAL target level, considering market demands and product characteristics, helps reduce unnecessary resource consumption. Maintaining product security through continuous security updates and vulnerability management is essential even after obtaining certification.
3-5 Year Outlook: Over the next 3-5 years, CC certification will expand into even more diverse sectors, with an anticipated increase in demand for security evaluations of new technology-based products and services, especially in cloud, IoT, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The importance of CC certification will further grow, driven by ongoing revisions of international standards and the trend of governments worldwide strengthening cybersecurity regulations. Discussions on institutional improvements to enhance certification process efficiency and lower market entry barriers for small and medium-sized enterprises are also expected to be active. The introduction of AI-based evaluation tools and the advancement of automated testing techniques can also contribute to improving the efficiency of the certification process. Ultimately, CC certification will solidify its position as an increasingly essential element for ensuring product reliability and competitiveness in the global digital economy.
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