Windows Mobile 6.1 earns Common Criteria Certification

After this week's shocking revelation that Windows Mobile 7 has been delayed to the back half of 2009, and all the hoopla surrounding Android, we're looking for some positive OS news wherever we can.

So here goes.

Jason Langridge notes in his MSDN blog that Windows Mobile 6.1 has been blessed with Common Criteria Certification. And he wisely points us to Wikipedia so we can find out just what the heck that means.

Common Criteria is based upon a framework in which computer system users can specify their security requirements, vendors can then implement and/or make claims about the security attributes of their products, and testing laboratories can evaluate the products to determine if they actually meet the claims. In other words, Common Criteria provides assurance that the process of specification, implementation and evaluation of a computer security product has been conducted in a rigorous and standard manner.

Makes sense to us. So congrats, Windows Mobile team. Job well done. Now get back to work on WM7 (he said, smiling)!