1
Australian Information Security Evaluation
Program
Certification Report
Blancco Drive Eraser v7.3.1
AISEP-CC-CR-2023-EFT-T029-CR-V1.0
Version 1.0, 2 June 2023
(Expiry Date 2 June 2028)
2
Table of contents
Executive summary 4
Introduction 5
Overview 5
Purpose 5
Identification 5
Target of Evaluation 7
Overview 7
Description of the TOE 7
TOE Functionality 7
TOE physical boundary 7
TOE Architecture 7
Clarification of scope 8
Non-evaluated functionality and services 8
Security 8
Usage 8
Evaluated configuration 8
Secure delivery 9
Software delivery procedures 9
Installation of the TOE 9
Version verification 9
Documentation and guidance 9
Secure usage 9
Evaluation 10
3
Overview 10
Evaluation procedures 10
Functional testing 10
Penetration testing 10
Certification 11
Overview 11
Assurance 11
Certification result 11
Recommendations 11
Annex A – References and abbreviations 13
References 13
Abbreviations 13
4
Executive summary
This report describes the findings of the IT security evaluation of Blancco Drive Eraser version 7.3.1 against Common
Criteria EAL2.
The Target of Evaluation (TOE) is Blancco Drive Eraser version 7.3.1. The TOE is a software product that securely erases
hard disk drives and solid state drives in accordance with recognised standards, as well as generating reports on erasure
activities.
This report concludes that the TOE has complied with the Common Criteria (CC) evaluation assurance level EAL2 and
that the evaluation was conducted in accordance with the Common Criteria and the requirements of the Australian
Information Security Evaluation Program (AISEP).
The evaluation was performed by Teron Labs and was completed on 8 May 2023.
With regard to the secure operation of the TOE, the Australian Certification Authority (ACA) recommends:
 that the TOE is operated in the evaluated configuration and that assumptions concerning the TOE security
environment are understood
 users review their operational environment and ensure security objectives for the operational environment can
be met
 users configure and operate the TOE according to the vendor’s supplementary guidance
 users configure the adjustable erasure verification level at 100% rather than use the quicker default value of 1%,
noting that the verification value should be set at a level commensurate with the importance of the completeness
of the data erasure
 users make themselves familiar with the guidance provided with the TOE and pay attention to all security
warnings
 users check and understand all drive erasure reports
 users verify the integrity of the TOE software prior to use by comparing the SHA256 hash of the downloaded
software against the hash value provided by Blancco as part of the purchase process.
Potential purchasers of the TOE should review the intended operational environment and ensure that they are
comfortable that the stated security objectives for the operational environment can be suitably addressed.
This report includes information about the underlying security policies and architecture of the TOE, and information
regarding the conduct of the evaluation.
It is the responsibility of the user to ensure that the TOE meets their requirements. For this reason, it is recommended
that a prospective user of the TOE refer to the Security Target and read this Certification Report prior to deciding
whether to purchase the product.
5
Introduction
Overview
This chapter contains information about the purpose of this document and how to identify the Target of Evaluation
(TOE).
Purpose
The purpose of this Certification Report is to:
 report the certification of results of the IT security evaluation of the TOE against the requirements of the Common
Criteria
 provide a source of detailed security information about the TOE for any interested parties.
This report should be read in conjunction with the TOE’s Security Target [6] which provides a full description of the
security requirements and specifications that were used as the basis of the evaluation.
Identification
The TOE is Blancco Drive Eraser v7.3.1.
Description Version
Evaluation scheme Australian Information Security Evaluation Program
TOE Blancco Drive Eraser
Software version v7.3.1
Security Target Blancco Drive Eraser v7.3.1 Security Target v1.0 dated 5 May 2023
Evaluation Technical Report Evaluation Technical Report 1.0 dated 8 May 2023
Document reference EFT-T029-ETR 1.0
Criteria Common Criteria for Information Technology Security Evaluation Part 2
Conformant and Part 3 Conformant, April 2017, Version 3.1 Rev 5
Methodology Common Methodology for Information Technology Security, April 2017
Version 3.1 Rev 5
Conformance EAL 2
Developer Blancco Technology Group
Länsikatu 15
FIN-80110 Joensuu, Finland
6
Evaluation facility Teron Labs Pty Ltd
Unit 3, 10 Geils Court
Deakin ACT 2600
Australia
7
Target of Evaluation
Overview
This chapter contains information about the Target of Evaluation (TOE), including a description of functionality
provided, the scope of evaluation, its security policies and its secure usage.
Description of the TOE
The TOE is Blancco Drive Eraser version 7.3.1.
Blancco Drive Eraser is software that is used to securely erase information from various persistent store technologies
including traditional HDDs (hard disk drives) and newer SSDs (solid state drives) including SSDs utilising NVMe (NVM
Express) technology. The software is delivered as an .iso file that can be used to boot a computer connected to the
data drives requiring erasure. The software runs in RAM using information from the .iso file to analyse the attached
data drive(s), erase the information on the data drive(s) and check the erasure activities for success or failure.
There are many algorithms for erasing data drive information. Blancco Drive Eraser supports proprietary and standard
algorithms that can be selected as required by the user. As well as the data drive erasure functionality the TOE takes
steps to ensure correct functioning on the hardware it happens to be running on. Another important function
performed by the TOE is the generation of reports that are protected from tampering – thus providing a valuable
record of data drive erasure activities performed by the user.
TOE Functionality
The TOE functionality that was evaluated is described in section 2.4.2 of the Security Target [6].
TOE physical boundary
The TOE physical boundary is described in section 2.4.1 of the Security Target [6].
TOE Architecture
Blancco Drive Eraser can be run in different configurations depending on the scale of use and the licencing
arrangements between the user and Blancco. In this case the TOE software is executed on a computer system supplied
by the user that is connected to the data drives.
Various ways that the TOE can be used include:
 local – with the user interface provided by a screen and keyboard connected to the computer the TOE is running
on
 remote – in this case the TOE software is configured so the user interface is provided by the Blancco Management
Console (BMC) running on a different computer. The BMC can be used to centralise the storage of erasure reports
generated by the TOE.
Use of the TOE consumes licences purchased from Blancco. Licencing containers used by the TOE include:
 a Blancco Management Console (BMC)
 the Blancco Cloud
 a connected HASP (security dongle).
8
Clarification of scope
The evaluation was conducted in accordance with the Common Criteria and associated methodologies.
The scope of the evaluation was limited to those claims made in the Security Target [6].
Non-evaluated functionality and services
Potential users of the TOE are advised that some functions and services have not been evaluated as part of the
evaluation. Potential users of the TOE should carefully consider their requirements for using functions and services
outside of the evaluated configuration.
Australian Government users should refer to the Australian Government Information Security Manual [4] for policy
relating to using an evaluated product in an unevaluated configuration.
Security
The TOE Security Policy is a set of rules that defines how information within the TOE is managed and protected. The
Security Target [6] contains a summary of the evaluated functionality.
Usage
Evaluated configuration
The evaluated configuration is based on the default installation of the TOE with additional configuration implemented
as described in the Blancco Drive Eraser v7.3.1 Common Criteria Guidance Supplement v1.1 [5]. Selecting these
settings will increase confidence in the data erasure process with the trade-off that the erasure might take longer.
Important settings include:
 Erase remapped sectors and the related Fail erasure if not supported are both set to on
 Remove hidden areas is set to on
 Enforce Blancco SSD method on SSDs is set to on
 Preserve recovery partition is set to off
 Execute self-tests on Drives is set to extended and the related Fail Erasure if Unsuccessful is set to on
 Erasure verification level is set to %100.
Erasure algorithms in scope include:
 Blancco SSD Erasure
 CESG CPA – Higher Level
 DoD 5220.22-M
 DoD 5220.22-M ECE
 NIST 800-88 Clear
 NIST 800-88 Purge
 HMG Infosec Standard 5, Higher Standard
 HMG Infosec Standard 5, Lower Standard.
9
Secure delivery
Software delivery procedures
The TOE can be delivered to the user via download from the Blancco web site or via physical delivery on media such as
DVD-ROM.
 When downloaded from the web Blancco provides a SHA256 hash that allows the user to verify the download.
 When physically delivered the packaging and tamper-evident seal should be carefully examined by the user.
Installation of the TOE
The Common Criteria Guidance Supplement [5] contains all relevant information for the secure configuration of the
TOE. It is important that the user understands the implications of policies concerning NIST 800-88 Clear fallback and
the possible interference of RAID systems on data drive erasure.
Version verification
The version of Blancco Drive Eraser being run can be verified from the top left area of the GUI screen. In the evaluated
configuration this will be v7.3.1.
Documentation and guidance
The general user documentation for Blancco Drive Erase v7.3.1 and the Common Criteria Guidance Supplement
included in the scope of the TOE are available on-line from a link provided by Blancco after purchase. These documents
are Blancco Drive Eraser User Manual for Version 7.3.1 (2022-04-06) [5] and Blancco Drive Eraser v7.3.1 Common
Criteria Guidance Supplement v1.1 [5].
Generic Common Criteria information is available at https://www.commoncriteriaportal.org.
The Australian Government Information Security Manual is available at https://www.cyber.gov.au/ism [4].
Secure usage
The evaluation of the TOE took into account certain assumptions about its operational environment. These
assumptions must hold in order to ensure the security objectives of the TOE are met.
 The TOE user is not negligent or hostile. The TOE is used in accordance with the enterprise security policies.
 The hardware that runs the TOE is trustworthy and functioning as expected.
 The Drive Eraser Configuration Tool (DECT) software used to configure the TOE is authentic.
 The Blancco Management Console (BMC) software used to manage the TOE remotely (when applicable) is
authentic.
10
Evaluation
Overview
This chapter contains information about the procedures used in conducting the evaluation and the testing conducted as
part of the evaluation.
Evaluation procedures
The criteria against which the Target of Evaluation (TOE) has been evaluated are contained in the Common Criteria for
Information Technology Security Evaluation Version 3.1 Revision 5, Parts 2 and 3 [1, 2].
Testing methodology was drawn from Common Methodology for Information Technology Security, April 2017 Version
3.1 Revision 5 [3].
The evaluation was carried out in accordance with the operational procedures of the Australian Information Security
Evaluation Program [9].
In addition, the conditions outlined in the Arrangement on the Recognition of Common Criteria Certificates in the field
of Information Technology Security were also upheld [8].
Functional testing
To gain confidence that the developer testing was sufficient to ensure the correct operation of the TOE, the evaluators
analysed the evidence of the developer’s testing effort. This analysis included examining the test coverage, test plans
and procedures, and expected and actual results. The evaluators drew upon this evidence to perform a sample of the
developer tests in order to verify that the test results were consistent with those recorded by the developers.
These developer tests are designed in such a way as to provide a full coverage of testing for all security functions
claimed by the TOE. All Security Functional Requirements listed in the Security Target were exercised during testing.
Penetration testing
A vulnerability analysis of the TOE was conducted in order to identify any obvious vulnerability in the product and to
show that the vulnerabilities were not exploitable in the intended environment of the TOE.
The developer performed a vulnerability analysis of the TOE in order to identify any obvious security vulnerability in the
product, and if identified, to show that the security vulnerabilities were not exploitable in the intended environment of
the TOE. This analysis included a search for possible security vulnerabilities in publicly-available information.
The following factors have been taken into consideration during the penetration tests:
 time taken to identify and exploit (elapsed time)
 specialist technical expertise required (specialist expertise)
 knowledge of the TOE design and operation (knowledge of the TOE)
 window of opportunity
 IT hardware/software or other equipment required for exploitation.
11
Certification
Overview
This chapter contains information about the result of the certification, an overview of the assurance provided and
recommendations made by the certifiers.
Assurance
EAL2 provides assurance by a full Security Target and an analysis of the Security Functional Requirements (SFRs) in that
Security Target, using a functional and interface specification, guidance documentation and a basic description of the
architecture of the TOE, to understand the security behaviour.
The analysis is supported by independent testing of the TOE Security Functionality (TSF), evidence of developer testing
based on the functional specification, selective independent confirmation of the developer test results, and a
vulnerability analysis (based upon the functional specification, TOE design, security architecture description and
guidance evidence provided) demonstrating resistance to penetration attackers with a basic attack potential.
EAL2 also provides assurance through use of a configuration management system and evidence of secure delivery
procedures.
This EAL represents a meaningful increase in assurance from EAL1 by requiring developer testing, a vulnerability
analysis (in addition to the search of the public domain), and independent testing based upon more detailed TOE
specifications.
Certification result
Teron Labs has determined that the TOE upholds the claims made in the Security Target [6] and has met the
requirements of Common Criteria EAL2.
After due consideration of the conduct of the evaluation as reported to the certifiers, and of the Evaluation Technical
Report [7], the Australian Certification Authority certifies the evaluation of Blancco Drive Eraser v7.3.1 performed by
the Australian Information Security Evaluation Facility, Teron Labs.
Certification is not a guarantee of freedom from security vulnerabilities.
Recommendations
Not all of the evaluated functionality present in the TOE may be suitable for Australian Government users. For further
guidance, Australian Government users should refer to the Australian Government Information Security Manual [4].
Potential purchasers of the TOE should review the intended operational environment and ensure that they are
comfortable that the stated security objectives for the operational environment can be suitably addressed.
In addition to ensuring that the assumptions concerning the operational environment are fulfilled, and the guidance
document is followed, the Australian Certification Authority also recommends:
 that the TOE is operated in the evaluated configuration and that assumptions concerning the TOE security
environment are understood
 users review their operational environment and ensure security objectives for the operational environment can
be met
 users configure and operate the TOE according to the vendor’s supplementary guidance
12
 users configure the adjustable erasure verification level at 100% rather than use the quicker default value of 1%,
noting that the verification value should be set at a level commensurate with the importance of the completeness
of the data erasure
 users make themselves familiar with the guidance provided with the TOE and pay attention to all security
warnings
 users check and understand all drive erasure reports
 users verify the integrity of the TOE software prior to use by comparing the SHA256 hash of the downloaded
software against the hash value provided by Blancco as part of the purchase process.
13
Annex A – References and abbreviations
References
1. Common Criteria for Information Technology Security Evaluation Part 2: Security functional components April
2017, Version 3.1 Revision 5
2. Common Criteria for Information Technology Security Evaluation Part 3: Security assurance components April
2017, Version 3.1 Revision 5
3. Common Methodology for Information Technology Security Evaluation, Evaluation Methodology, April 2017,
Version 3.1 Revision 5
4. Australian Government Information Security Manual: https://www.cyber.gov.au/ism
5. Guidance documentation:
 Blancco Drive Eraser User Manual for Version 7.3.1 (2022-04-06) – Link available from the developer
 Blancco Drive Eraser v7.3.1 Common Criteria Guidance Supplement v1.1 (5 May 2023) – Link available from the
developer
6. Blancco Drive Eraser v7.3.1 Security Target v1.0 dated 5 May 2023
7. Evaluation Technical Report - EFT-T029 ETR 1.0 dated 8 May 2023
8. Arrangement on the Recognition of Common Criteria Certificates in the field of Information Technology
Security, 2-July-2014
9. AISEP Policy Manual (APM): https://www.cyber.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-
03/2022_AUG_REL_AISEP_Policy_Manual_6.3.pdf
Abbreviations
AISEP Australian Information Security Evaluation Program
ASD Australian Signals Directorate
CCRA Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement
DVD Digital optical disc storage format
HASP Hardware Against Software Piracy (security dongle)
HDD Hard Disk Drive
NVMe NVM Express (or Non-Volatile Memory Host Controller Interface Specification)
SSD Solid State Drive
TOE Target of Evaluation
USB Universal Serial Bus
.iso File extension for binary image file that can be written to DVD disc or USB drive