This document establishes the foundational requirements for evaluating the security effectiveness of computer systems within the United States Department of Defense. The criteria were developed by the National Computer Security Center to provide a standardized framework for manufacturers to build secure systems and for evaluators to assess their integrity. It defines specific security classes that categorize systems based on their ability to protect sensitive information and maintain system reliability.

Experts recognize this document as the historical cornerstone of modern cybersecurity policy and trusted system design. Readers frequently note the technical density of the prose, which serves primarily as a regulatory reference rather than a narrative text.