Harmonization of international software standards on integrity and dependability

Abstract

The requirements and the need for harmonization of International Standards of ISO/IEC JTCI/SC7/WG9 on Software Integrity and IEC/TC56/WG10 on Software Aspects of Dependability are discussed. A collaborative framework for the joint Working Group (WG) of the respective ISO/IEC Technical Committees (TC) for software standards development is presented. The harmonization process provides a unique cross disciplinary action in the collaboration by addressing integrity level as a unifying concept and dependability as a specific risk dimension in system application where software components are involved. The experience and cooperative spirit of the joint WG are captured to serve as a model for other standards development needing to extend beyond their own technical boundaries for the benefits of the ultimate users of the standards.