How Do You Know if You Are Fips 140-2 Complainat

Keeping sensitive data, such as Personally Identifiable Information (PII), secure in every stage of its life is an important task for any organization. To simplify this process, standards, regulations, and best practices were created to better protect information. The Federal Information Protection Standard, or FIPS, is one of these standards. These standards were created by the National Plant of Science and Engineering science (NIST) to protect government data, and ensure those working with the government comply with certain safety standards before they have access to data. FIPS has a number of standards released, but this article discusses FIPS 140-2.

What is FIPS 140-2?

FIPS 140-2 is a standard which handles cryptographic modules and the ones that organizations use to encrypt data-at-residuum and information-in-motion. FIPS 140-2 has 4 levels of security, with level ane being the least secure, and level 4 beingness the most secure:

• • FIPS 140-2 Level ane- Level 1 has the simplest requirements. It requires production-form equipment, and atleast one tested encryption algorithm. This must exist a working encryption algorithm, non i that has non been authorized for use.
  • FIPS 140-ii Level 2- Level 2 raises the bar slightly, requiring all of level 1'south requirements forth with role-based authentication and tamper evident physical devices to be used. It should also exist run on an Operating System that has been approved past Common Criteria at EAL2.
  • FIPS 140-two Level iii- FIPS 140-2 level 3 is the level the majority of organizations comply with, as information technology is secure, but not made difficult to employ considering of that security. This level takes all of level 2's requirements and adds tamper-resistant devices, a separation of the logical and physical interfaces that accept "critical security parameters" enter or leave the system, and identity-based authentication. Private keys leaving or entering the organization must too exist encrypted earlier they tin can be moved to or from the system.

• FIPS 140-2 Level iv- The well-nigh secure level of FIPS 140-2 uses the same requirements of level 3 and desires that the compliant device be able to exist tamper-active and that the contents of the device be able to be erased if sure ecology attacks are detected. Another focus of FIPS 140-2 level iv is that the Operating Systems being used past the cryptographic module must exist more secure than earlier levels. If multiple users are using a system, the Os is held to an even higher standard.

Why is being FIPS 140-two compliant of import?

Ane of the many reasons to become FIPS compliant is due to the government'due south requirement that whatsoever organization working with them must be FIPS 140-2 compliant. This requirement ensures government information handled past tertiary-party organizations is stored and encrypted deeply and with the proper levels of confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity. Companies desiring to create cryptographic modules, such every bit nCipher or Thales, must become FIPS compliant if they want the vast majority of companies to utilize their device, particularly the government. Many organizations take adult the policy of becoming FIPS 140-2 compliant, as it makes their organization and services seem more secure and trusted.

Another reason to be FIPS compliant is the rigorous testing that has gone into verifying the force backside the requirements of FIPS 140-2. The requirements for each level of FIPS 140-ii have been selected subsequently a variety of tests for confidentiality, integrity, non-repudiation, and authenticity. As the government has some of the most sensitive information in the nation, devices, services, and other products used past them must be at the highest level of security at all times. Using services or software without these tested methods in place could atomic number 82 to a massive alienation in security, causing issues for every person in the nation.

Who needs to exist FIPS compliant?

The main organizations that are required to be FIPS 140-2 compliant are federal authorities organizations that either collect, store, share, transfer, or disseminate sensitive data, such as Personally Identifiable Information. All federal agencies, their contractors, and service providers must all exist compliant with FIPS as well. Additionally, any systems deployed in a federal environment must also be FIPS 140-2 compliant. This includes the encryption systems utilized past Cloud Service Providers (CSPs), estimator solutions, software, and other related systems. This means but those services, devices, and software that are FIPS compliant tin even exist considered for use by the federal government, which is i of the reasons then many technology companies want to ensure they are FIPS 140-two compliant.

FIPS compliance is also recognized around the globe as one of the all-time ways to ensure cryptographic modules are secure. Many organizations follow FIPS to ensure their own security is upwardly to par with the government's security. Many other organizations go FIPS 140-2 compliant to distribute their products and services in not only the United States, but also internationally. As FIPS is recognized effectually the world, whatever organization that possesses FIPS compliance will exist seen every bit a trusted provider of services, products, and software. Some fields, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and financial sectors, along with local governments require FIPS 140-2 compliance too.

waythowithid82.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.encryptionconsulting.com/education-center/what-is-fips/