ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Trusted Computer System Evaluation Criteria

Have you ever heard of a computer system that is super-duper secure and trustworthy? It's like a superhero computer system that protects all our valuable information from the bad guys. But how do we know that a computer system is trustworthy and secure?

Well, we have something called Trusted Computer System Evaluation Criteria (TCSEC) that helps us evaluate computer systems and decide how trustworthy they are. It's like a rating system for computers, except it doesn't just give a star rating, but it gives a detailed list of requirements that a computer system must meet to be considered secure and trustworthy.

The TCSEC has a set of requirements that a computer system has to meet to be evaluated. These requirements are classified into four main areas: confidentiality, integrity, availability, and accountability.

Confidentiality means that the information stored in the computer system remains private and is only accessible to authorized users or programs.

Integrity, on the other hand, means that the information stored in the computer system is accurate and has not been tampered with or changed.

Availability means that the computer system can be accessed when needed and that it continues to function even when there are attacks or system failures.

Accountability means that any actions performed on the computer system are traceable, so if something goes wrong, the responsible person can be identified.

To evaluate a computer system using the TCSEC, it is tested against these requirements by a group of experts who review the system's design, implementation, and operation. If the system meets all the requirements, it is given a rating of Trusted Computer System, and if it doesn't, it is considered untrustworthy.

So, in conclusion, the TCSEC helps us evaluate the security and trustworthiness of computer systems, making sure they can protect our valuable information from the bad guys.