Why do we need FIPS certification?

The importance of using cryptographic modules that are FIPS certified or compliant. FIPS accreditation validates that an encryption solution meets a specific set of requirements designed to protect the cryptographic module from being cracked, altered, or otherwise tampered with.

What is FIPS Common Criteria?

FIPS 140-2 and Common Criteria are two security-product certification programs run by government. Common Criteria (all the cool kids are saying “CC”) details a range of security related topics (like auditing, or software development practices) and what the government requires for different types of products.

Are SSL Certificates FIPS 140-2 compliant?

Question: Are SSL Certificates FIPS 140-2 compliant? Short Answer: Yes-ish. But FIPS pertains more to the actual physical protection of digital certificate cryptographic modules.

Do I need to be FIPS compliant?

All federal departments and agencies must use FIPS 180 to protect sensitive unclassified information and federal applications. Secure hash algorithms can be used with other cryptographic algorithms, like keyed-hash message authentication codes or random number generators.

What are the FIPS 140-2 requirements?

FIPS 140-2 cryptography requirements and validation process FIPS 140-2 requires that any hardware or software cryptographic module implements algorithms from an approved list. The FIPS validated algorithms cover symmetric and asymmetric encryption techniques as well as use of hash standards and message authentication.

Is FIPS 140-2 NSA approved?

The NSA does use FIPS-approved algorithms and FIPS-140-2-validated cryptographic modules, however.

Why is Common Criteria important?

In short, Common Criteria provides assurance that the process of specification, implementation and evaluation of a computer security product has been conducted in a rigorous, standard and repeatable manner at a level that corresponds with its target use environment.

Is Common Criteria still used?

The Common Criteria for Information Technology Security Evaluation (referred to as Common Criteria or CC) is an international standard (ISO/IEC 15408) for computer security certification. It is currently in version 3.1 revision 5.

Is TLS 1.2 FIPS compliant?

FIPS 140-2 compliant encryption requires the use of TLS 1.0 or higher. Government-only applications should use TLS 1.2 or higher. enhancements aimed to mitigate threats that have been discovered over time. TLS 1.2/1.3 protocols are recommended for GSA implementations.

How do I verify FIPS 140-2 compliance?

There are two ways to assure your management that FIPS 140-2 is being implemented. One is to hire a consultant specializing in the standard, such as Rycombe Consulting or Corsec Security. These companies provide the necessary documentation for the certification procedure, which you can use to prove implementation.

Who needs FIPS compliance?

Who needs to be FIPS compliant? The main organizations that are required to be FIPS 140-2 compliant are federal government organizations that either collect, store, share, transfer, or disseminate sensitive data, such as Personally Identifiable Information.

Is sha2 FIPS compliant?

Specifically, the only cryptographic algorithm classes that can be instantiated are those that implement FIPS-compliant algorithms. The names of these classes end in “CryptoServiceProvider” or “Cng”….Question.