What is the difference between ISO 27001 and Common Criteria?

ISO 27001 and Common Criteria are two widely recognized standards in the field of information security. While both of them aim to ensure the security of information systems, they have distinct differences in terms of scope, focus, and evaluation criteria.

ISO 27001: A Systematic Approach

ISO 27001, also known as Information Security Management System (ISMS), provides a systematic approach for implementing, managing, and evaluating an organization's information security controls. It focuses on establishing a robust framework to manage risks and protect sensitive information. ISO 27001 sets out detailed requirements for the establishment, implementation, monitoring, review, maintenance, and improvement of the ISMS.

Common Criteria: Evaluating Product Security

Common Criteria, on the other hand, is an international standard for evaluating the security features and capabilities of IT products, such as operating systems, network devices, and software applications. It defines a set of criteria against which the security aspects of a product can be assessed and compared. Common Criteria aims to provide assurance that the evaluated product meets certain security requirements defined by internationally recognized standards.

Different Scopes and Focuses

The main difference between ISO 27001 and Common Criteria lies in their scopes and focuses. ISO 27001 addresses the overall management of information security within an organization, covering both technical and non-technical aspects. It involves the development of policies, procedures, and controls to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information assets.

Common Criteria, on the other hand, focuses specifically on the evaluation of IT products' security features and functionalities. It provides a standardized methodology for assessing and certifying the security claims made by product vendors. The evaluation is typically performed by independent laboratories to ensure objectivity and reliability of the results.

Evaluation Criteria

ISO 27001 relies on a risk-based approach, where organizations assess and manage risks based on their specific context. The standard emphasizes the importance of continual improvement, with regular monitoring, review, and updates to the ISMS.

Common Criteria, however, uses a more predefined set of evaluation criteria known as Protection Profiles (PPs). PPs specify the security requirements that products should meet in order to achieve a certain level of assurance. The evaluation process involves testing against the identified requirements and providing evidence of compliance.

In conclusion, ISO 27001 and Common Criteria serve different purposes within the scope of information security. While ISO 27001 focuses on managing risks through an overarching management system, Common Criteria concentrates on evaluating and certifying the security features of IT products. Both standards play important roles in ensuring the security and trustworthiness of information systems, albeit from different perspectives.