Qatar gets approval for issuing information security certificates

Qatar has obtained the internationally recognised approval for issuing information security certificates for electronic devices and programmes. According to a statement from the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), Qatar is the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to issue these internationally recognised certificates from the committee of the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA). Qatar joined the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA) during the CCRA’s first conference for 2023 in Malaysia. After applying to become an authorising member, Qatar’s Common Criteria Scheme (QCCS) under NCSA underwent a conformity assessment by Malaysia’s and India’s certification authorities to ensure its compliance. After the assessment, the Malaysia’s and India’s authorities reported to the president of CCRA that the QCCS met all requirements. In its efforts to improve security and preparedness for cybersecurity threats in all critical sectors, Qatar joined CCRA in 2015 as a Consuming Member of Certificates. Since becoming a Consuming Member, Qatar has ensured that all stipulated requirements by the CCRA were fulfilled to be recognised as an authorising member. The Common Criteria (CC) is an international set of guidelines and specifications that define frameworks for IT security evaluation and certification.