Windows Mobile 6.1 Obtains Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level 4

Version 6.1 of Microsoft’s Windows Mobile operating system has obtained a thumbs up when it comes to security down under. Windows Mobile 6.1 has successfully passed the Defence Signals Directorate (DSD) Australasian Information Security Evaluation Program, achieving Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level 4 (EAL4), the Redmond-based company informed. In addition to the 6.1 version of its mobile platform, System Centre Mobile Device Manager 2008 and System Centre Mobile Device Manager 2008 Service Pack 1 (SP1) also obtained EAL4 from DSD, the national authority for information security of the Australian Government.

“We are extremely proud of this successful Common Criteria evaluation as it offers widely recognized assurance that Windows Mobile delivers a very high level of security and protection of information networks,” revealed Don Kerr, product marketing manager for Windows Mobile. “Microsoft is committed to globally recognized evaluations and certification processes as a way of building trust in computing and providing customers in the public and private sectors with a more secure and reliable platform.”

Fact is that the security criteria for EAL4 are not limited to Australia, but span across additional countries around the world. Microsoft informed that with the EAL4 status, Windows Mobile 6.1, System Centre Mobile Device Manager 2008 and System Centre Mobile Device Manager 2008 SP1 were accepted by no less than 26 markets, including Australia, United Kingdom and the United States, under the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA).

The CCRA is illustrative of the standard of security of specific products that can be adopted by government and enterprise workers. In this regard, the certification obtained by Windows Mobile 6.1 is an indication that mobile workers can access sensitive data on information networks in a secure manner, by offering on-device file encryption and remote device wipe.

“We have worked very closely with Microsoft throughout this assessment process to ensure that Windows Mobile 6.1 meets the security needs for government and enterprise networks,” added Mike Burgess, first assistant secretary, Information Security, Defence Signals Directorate. “Our evaluation of emerging technology is rigorous, but ensures secure use in government systems. Government organisations and enterprises can be assured that Microsoft’s successfully evaluated products can be used to securely enable remote working. DSD looks forward to vendor interest in evaluating a hardware handset that will take advantage of Windows Mobile 6.1 to provide government with another secure option.”