commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) - Glossary | CSRC

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commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS)

Abbreviations / Acronyms / Synonyms:

COTS

Definitions:

  A software and/or hardware product that is commercially ready-made and available for sale, lease, or license to the general public.
Sources:
CNSSI 4009-2015 from NSA/CSS Policy 3-14

  Software and hardware that already exists and is available from commercial sources. It is also referred to as off-the-shelf.
Sources:
NISTIR 7622 under Commercial off-the-shelf

  Hardware and software IT products that are ready-made and available for purchase by the general public.
Sources:
NISTIR 7711 under Commercial-Off-The-Shelf