India Assumes Chair of Common Criteria Development Board for 2026–2028

India assumes the Chair of the Common Criteria Development Board (CCDB) for the 2026-28 term after being nominated as a chair. This decision was confirmed during the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA) in the first quarter meeting which was held in Tokyo, Japan in April 2026.

What Is the Common Criteria Development Board and Why Does It Matter?

The Common Criteria Development Board (CCDB) is one of the most important technical bodies in the international cybersecurity framework.

It functions as the technical engine behind the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA) which is the global agreement that allows countries to mutually recognize the IT security certifications.

In the simple terms, if a technology product is certified under this system in one member nation, other participating countries can accept that certification without requiring any fresh security testing.

This makes the global trade in secure IT products smoother, faster and more trusted.

The CCDB specifically manages the,

• Technical standards for IT product security evaluation
• Also keep updates the cybersecurity evaluation frameworks
• Provides the security certification methodologies

Its work directly affects how the secure software, hardware and digital systems are evaluated globally.

Understanding the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA)

The CCRA is the international framework which promotes trust in certified digital products across borders.

It serves as a foundational global agreement for the IT security certification.

One of its most important features is the Common Criteria Portal and it is considered as the official global database for certified secure technology products.

This portal acts as the central reference point for the governments, businesses and institutions who are looking for internationally trusted secure products.

Currently, the arrangement includes the,

• 20 Certificate Authorizing Nations – in which countries can issue internationally recognized certificates.
• 18 Certificate Consuming Nations – countries that accept and use of those certifications.

India’s Growing Role in Global Cybersecurity Standards

India has steadily expanded the its presence in the international cybersecurity ecosystem.

The country has joined the CCRA on September 16, 2013 as a Certificate Authorizing Nation.

India’s participation is represented through the,

• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
• STQC Directorate – It is India’s official certification body for IT security evaluations.

Over the years India has developed the expertise in evaluating secure technology products which has now translated into this leadership role.