IBM Linux servers certified

Linux continues to make gains in the government market, with IBM Corp.'s Linux-based eServer line achieving Controlled Access Protection Profile compliance under the Common Criteria for Information Security Evaluation

The line runs Novell Inc.'s Suse Linux Enterprise Server 8 operating system, the company said. The Common Criteria is an ISO standard used by government and other organizations to assess the security of technology products.

Armonk, N.Y.-based IBM also announced that its Suse Linux-based xSeries and zSeries platforms earned Common Operating Environment compliance. COE is a specification created by the Defense Department that describes functionality and interoperability requirements for commercially acquired IT products within its command and control systems.

"Certification under Common Criteria is a requirement for security-related products in our environment," said William Wolf of the Navy's Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center in San Diego. "We are encouraged by EAL 3 certification for Linux, as new doors will open to build flexible, cost-effective solutions for our end users."

James Stallings, IBM's general manager for Linux, said the COE compliance puts Linux on equal footing with other operating systems when it comes to Defense Department command and control operations.