As the use of encrypted storage products continues to grow, it’s becoming increasingly important to ensure that these products meet established accreditation standards in the UK and Europe. Accreditation is a process by which an independent organisation evaluates a product or service against a set of established criteria to ensure that it meets certain standards of quality and security. For encrypted storage products, there are several accreditation standards that may be relevant, including those related to data privacy, encryption strength, and overall security.
One of the most widely recognised accreditation standards in the UK and Europe is the Common Criteria (CC). This standard is an international set of requirements for evaluating the security and reliability of information technology products. It’s divided into several levels, with each level corresponding to a specific set of security requirements. The CC standard is widely recognised in the UK and Europe, and many government agencies and enterprises require it for products that handle sensitive information.
Another important accreditation standard in Europe is the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) certification. This certification is specifically designed for information and communication technology (ICT) products, and is intended to ensure that these products meet a set of established security standards. The ENISA certification is recognised throughout the European Union, and is increasingly being required for products that handle sensitive data.
In addition to these standards, there are several others that may be relevant to encrypted storage products. For example, the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 27001 is a widely recognised standard for information security management systems. It’s designed to help organisations manage and protect their sensitive information, and includes requirements related to encryption, data privacy, and overall security.
When navigating the accreditation standards for encrypted storage products in the UK and Europe, it’s important to carefully evaluate each standard to determine which requirements are most relevant to your specific use case. For example, if you’re working with sensitive government information, you may need to comply with the UK’s Security Policy Framework (SPF) and the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Both of these standards include requirements related to encryption, data privacy, and overall security.
In addition to accreditation, it’s important to carefully consider other factors when selecting an encrypted storage product. This may include evaluating the strength of the encryption algorithms used, the quality of the key management system, and the overall security of the product’s design.
Overall, navigating the accreditation standards for encrypted storage products in the UK and Europe can be a complex process, but it’s essential for ensuring that your product meets the necessary security requirements and can be trusted to protect sensitive data. By carefully evaluating each accreditation standard and working with an accredited third-party laboratory, you can ensure that your product meets all of the necessary security requirements and is well-positioned for success in today’s increasingly complex digital landscape.