A Flexible Risk-Based Security Evaluation Methodology for Information Communication Technology System Certification

As Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems become increasingly complex, the need for adaptable and efficient security certification frameworks grows. This paper introduces a flexible security evaluation methodology designed to serve as the foundation for cybersecurity certification ac...

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Main Authors: Sara N. Matheu, Juan F. Martínez-Gil, Irene Bicchierai, Jan Marchel, Radosław Piliszek, Antonio Skarmeta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/3/1600
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author Sara N. Matheu
Juan F. Martínez-Gil
Irene Bicchierai
Jan Marchel
Radosław Piliszek
Antonio Skarmeta
author_facet Sara N. Matheu
Juan F. Martínez-Gil
Irene Bicchierai
Jan Marchel
Radosław Piliszek
Antonio Skarmeta
author_sort Sara N. Matheu
collection DOAJ
description As Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems become increasingly complex, the need for adaptable and efficient security certification frameworks grows. This paper introduces a flexible security evaluation methodology designed to serve as the foundation for cybersecurity certification across diverse ICT systems. The proposed methodology integrates risk assessment and test-based evaluation, offering a scalable approach that adapts to different tools and processes, addressing the limitations of existing rigid certification schemes. The certification approach expands on ETSI’s Risk-Based Security Assessment and Testing methods, based on ISO 31000 and ISO 29119, and it integrates widely recognized standards such as MUD. This ensures an objective, empirical evaluation process that enables partial automation and simplifies recertification. As a proof of concept, we validate the methodology in two real use cases, an ICT gateway for smart grids and an AI-powered investments platform, demonstrating its flexibility and applicability to real-world contexts while addressing the challenges of modern ICT ecosystems.
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spelling doaj-art-42bc696e2bb946f9b438756db19db1332025-08-20T02:12:38ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-02-01153160010.3390/app15031600A Flexible Risk-Based Security Evaluation Methodology for Information Communication Technology System CertificationSara N. Matheu0Juan F. Martínez-Gil1Irene Bicchierai2Jan Marchel3Radosław Piliszek4Antonio Skarmeta5Department of Information and Communication Engineering, Computer Science Faculty, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, SpainDepartment of Information and Communication Engineering, Computer Science Faculty, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, SpainResilTech s.r.l., Piazza Nilde Iotti, 25, 56025 Pontedera, Italy7bulls.com, Aleja Armii Ludowej 26, 00-609 Warszawa, Poland7bulls.com, Aleja Armii Ludowej 26, 00-609 Warszawa, PolandDepartment of Information and Communication Engineering, Computer Science Faculty, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, SpainAs Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems become increasingly complex, the need for adaptable and efficient security certification frameworks grows. This paper introduces a flexible security evaluation methodology designed to serve as the foundation for cybersecurity certification across diverse ICT systems. The proposed methodology integrates risk assessment and test-based evaluation, offering a scalable approach that adapts to different tools and processes, addressing the limitations of existing rigid certification schemes. The certification approach expands on ETSI’s Risk-Based Security Assessment and Testing methods, based on ISO 31000 and ISO 29119, and it integrates widely recognized standards such as MUD. This ensures an objective, empirical evaluation process that enables partial automation and simplifies recertification. As a proof of concept, we validate the methodology in two real use cases, an ICT gateway for smart grids and an AI-powered investments platform, demonstrating its flexibility and applicability to real-world contexts while addressing the challenges of modern ICT ecosystems.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/3/1600cybersecuritycertificationrisk assessmentICT systemssecurity evaluationMUD standardsecurity labeling
spellingShingle Sara N. Matheu
Juan F. Martínez-Gil
Irene Bicchierai
Jan Marchel
Radosław Piliszek
Antonio Skarmeta
A Flexible Risk-Based Security Evaluation Methodology for Information Communication Technology System Certification
Applied Sciences
cybersecuritycertification
risk assessment
ICT systems
security evaluation
MUD standard
security labeling
title A Flexible Risk-Based Security Evaluation Methodology for Information Communication Technology System Certification
title_full A Flexible Risk-Based Security Evaluation Methodology for Information Communication Technology System Certification
title_fullStr A Flexible Risk-Based Security Evaluation Methodology for Information Communication Technology System Certification
title_full_unstemmed A Flexible Risk-Based Security Evaluation Methodology for Information Communication Technology System Certification
title_short A Flexible Risk-Based Security Evaluation Methodology for Information Communication Technology System Certification
title_sort flexible risk based security evaluation methodology for information communication technology system certification
topic cybersecuritycertification
risk assessment
ICT systems
security evaluation
MUD standard
security labeling
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/3/1600
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