Subscribe to one of our news e-mail lists . The CC includes a two-part catalog of basic requirements for security functions and for assurances about the proper implementation of these functions. Consumers use the catalog to develop profiles of their security needs and state the level of confidence they want in the products they're looking to buy.
Vendors use the CC to define their products and show how they meet the consumers' requirements.
Testing laboratories use common test methods from a companion CC standard to verify that vendor security implementations are correct, complete and compliant to specifications. These agreements will allow vendors from any country to sell their wares with CC certificates in foreign markets with no product retesting - a benefit to both vendors and consumers. The financial world is using the CC scheme to build confidence in its electronic services, simplify security product comparison and reduce testing costs. The health care sector is following suit. Vendors and providers can use the CC scheme to demonstrate their compliance with new patient information privacy laws associated with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.