IBM and Novell announced at LinuxWorld today that SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 has become the first distribution to complete Evaluation Assurance Level (EAL) 4+.

The high security rating will enable the operating system to be adopted by governments and government agencies for mission-critical operations, according to the firms.

In addition, IBM and Novell co-operatively achieved US Department of Defense Common Operating Environment compliance, a Defense Information Systems Agency requirement for military computing products.

SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 on IBM eServers has achieved Controlled Access Protection Profile under the Common Criteria for Information Security Evaluation, also referred to as CAPP/EAL4+.

A formal certificate issued by the Federal Office for Information Security in Germany is expected to follow shortly, the companies said.

"Another barrier to the adoption of Linux falls today," said IBM's Daniel Frye, vice president of the Linux Technology Center.

"Not only does this pave the way for faster adoption by governments and their agencies, it reinforces to businesses that Linux is an excellent choice to handle mission-critical applications."

IBM and Novell also announced that SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 had achieved Common Operating Environment compliance across IBM's eServer line.

This compliance, required by the Department of Defense, addresses functionality and interoperability requirements for commercially acquired IT products, and allows Linux to be used in command-and-control systems, which represent some of the most sensitive and critical applications run by the government.