IBM Announces Commitment to Common Criteria Security Certification of Linux

IBM Announces Commitment to Common Criteria Security Certification of Linux
across IBM eServer Platforms

ARMONK, N.Y., February 13, 2003 -- IBM today announced that it will work
with the Linux community to enter the Common Criteria certification process
for the Linux operating system early this year and proceed with a
progressive plan for certifying Linux at increasing security  levels through
2003 and 2004.  

The Common Criteria (CC) is an internationally endorsed, independently
tested and rigorous set of standards used by the Federal government, and
other organizations around the world,  to evaluate the security and
assurance levels of technology products. 

"With Linux experiencing significant traction among governments around the
world, securing Common Criteria certification for Linux will demonstrate
that Linux is secure for government applications," said Jon "Maddog" Hall,
President and Executive Director of Linux International.  "The Linux
community is actively working on security enhancements to make Linux even
more secure than it is today, which will enable progressively higher levels
of certification in the future."

With today's announcement, IBM is committing to partner with the Linux
community to complete the CC evaluation and certification, to develop
additional security enhancements, and to work with Linux distributors to
make them available.  In addition, IBM will continue to accelerate its
investment in the certification of its servers and family of IBM middleware,
including WebSphere®, DB2®, Lotus® and Tivoli®  software.  

Through its Linux Technology Center, IBM will invest development resources
to enable Linux for CC certification across IBM eServer(tm) platforms, and
will fund initial evaluations in 2003. Other investments will include
ongoing certifications for new and existing IBM products, at or above
customer-specified levels.

"Linux is the fastest-growing operating system in the world today, and we
see governments and customers across all industries worldwide adopting it at
an ever rapid pace because it frees them from dependence on a proprietary
approach," said Jim Stallings, IBM General Manager, Linux.  "This investment
represents the next step in IBM's ongoing commitment to accelerate the
development of Linux as a secure, industrial strength operating system."   

The United States Federal government requires that all commercially-acquired
information technology products used in national security systems be
independently certified by approved testing facilities against the Common
Criteria, and many other countries adhere to similar standards.  

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