Red Hat aims for higher security rank

Red Hat is working with IBM and Trusted Computer Solutions to attain higher security certifications for the forthcoming version 5 of Red Hat Enterprise Linux, the companies said Monday. The companies are seeking Evaluation Assurance Level 4 (EAL4) certification for three profiles defined by the Common Criteria certification process, a requirement for several military and government customers. RHEL 5 is expected in late 2006, the companies added.

Those profiles are Labeled Security Protection Profile (LSPP), Controlled Access Protection Profile (CAPP) and Role-Based Access Control Protection Profile (RBAC), the companies said. IBM has sponsored Common Criteria certification work in the past for Red Hat's top rival, Novell's Suse Linux, but now is sponsoring Red Hat as well. Novell has achieved EAL4+ certification with the CAPP.