FIPScompliant

FIPScompliant refers to systems, software, or components that adhere to Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) established by the United States government, typically to support security and interoperability in federal information processing. In practice, the term is most often connected with cryptographic functionality and the use of validated cryptographic modules.

A central mechanism for FIPS compliance is the Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP), a joint effort of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) in Canada. Through CMVP, cryptographic modules undergo formal testing against FIPS 140-2 or the newer FIPS 140-3 standards and, if they pass, receive an official validation certificate. FIPS 140-2 defines four security levels, from basic to highly stringent, shaping the physical and logical protections a module must provide. Validation is specific to the module and its version; changes to hardware, firmware, or software often require recertification to maintain a valid status.

FIPS compliance covers cryptographic modules and related implementations used for approved algorithms, key management, random number generation, and related security functions. It does not guarantee the overall security of an entire system, nor does it imply compliance with other standards unless explicitly stated. Many organizations, including U.S. federal agencies, require FIPS-validated components for sensitive or mission-critical workloads, while private and international entities may adopt FIPS validation to meet security baselines or procurement requirements.

To verify status, buyers should consult the official NIST CMVP certificate database for the exact certificate and module version. In marketing language, products are often described as "FIPS validated" or "FIPS 140-2/140-3 validated" rather than simply “FIPS compliant.”