Let’s talk FIPS. You’ve seen that our iStorage encrypted USB devices such as the datAshur Pro2 confirm that they are FIPS 140-2 Level 3 Compliant, but what is FIPS 140-2?

FIPS 140-2, or the Federal Information Processing Standard Publication 140-2, is a U.S. government standard used to approve cryptographic modules. These modules, integral for securing sensitive information, must meet stringent security requirements. For businesses like SecureDrive, which sells hardware encrypted USB storage devices, compliance with FIPS 140-2 ensures the highest levels of data protection.

History of FIPS 140-2

 

Origin and Development

The journey of FIPS 140-2 began with the need for a reliable framework to evaluate cryptographic modules. Initially introduced in 2001, this standard has evolved to address emerging security threats, becoming a cornerstone of modern cryptographic practices.

 

Evolution of Cryptographic Standards

Cryptographic standards have significantly evolved, with FIPS 140-2 playing a pivotal role. It has adapted to technological advancements, maintaining its relevance in an ever-changing cybersecurity landscape.

 

 

 

What Is FIPS 140-2?

 

Definition of FIPS 140-2

FIPS 140-2 is a set of guidelines for evaluating cryptographic modules. It ensures these modules provide adequate security to protect sensitive information from unauthorised access and tampering.

 

Purpose and Scope

The primary purpose of FIPS 140-2 is to secure sensitive data. Its scope covers a wide range of cryptographic modules, from hardware and software to firmware, ensuring comprehensive protection across various platforms.

 

 

Certification Process

Steps to Achieve FIPS 140-2 Certification

1. Design and Development: Creating a compliant cryptographic module.
2. Testing and Validation: Conducting rigorous testing to meet FIPS 140-2 standards.
3. Submission to NIST: Submitting the module for review and certification.

 

Role of NIST in the Certification

NIST oversees the certification process, ensuring that modules meet the required security standards. Their approval is crucial for validating the security of cryptographic modules.

 

Security Levels Explained

Each security level in FIPS 140-2 offers distinct protection measures.

 

Level 1: Basic Security

This level provides the most fundamental security, ensuring basic cryptographic functions are protected.

 

Level 2: Enhanced Security

Level 2 adds additional security features, including physical tamper-evidence and role-based authentication.

 

Level 3: Additional Tamper Resistance

Level 3 enhances physical security, requiring modules to resist tampering and unauthorised access.

 

Level 4: Highest Level of Security

The highest security level, Level 4, ensures maximum protection against environmental and physical attacks.

 

 

 

Cryptographic Modules

Cryptographic modules are critical for secure data encryption and decryption.

 

What Constitutes a Cryptographic Module?

A cryptographic module can be hardware, software, or firmware designed to perform cryptographic functions. These modules must comply with FIPS 140-2 to ensure data security.

 

Importance of Cryptographic Modules in Cybersecurity

Cryptographic modules are essential in protecting sensitive information, ensuring data integrity, and preventing unauthorised access.

 

 

 

Benefits of FIPS 140-2 Compliance

Compliance with FIPS 140-2 offers numerous benefits, enhancing data security and building trust.

 

Enhanced Data Security

FIPS 140-2 compliant modules provide robust encryption, safeguarding sensitive data from breaches.

 

Trust and Confidence in the Product

Products that comply with FIPS 140-2 standards instill confidence in users, assuring them of the highest security standards.

 

 

 

FIPS 140-2 vs. FIPS 140-3

Understanding the differences between FIPS 140-2 and its successor, FIPS 140-3, is essential.

 

Key Differences

FIPS 140-3 introduces several new requirements and updates that build upon the foundation set by FIPS 140-2. Some of the key differences include:

 

• Algorithm Testing: FIPS 140-3 includes more rigorous testing of cryptographic algorithms to ensure their robustness against newer, more sophisticated threats. This ensures that the cryptographic modules can withstand a broader range of attacks.

 

• Enhanced Physical Security: FIPS 140-3 places greater emphasis on physical security mechanisms. This includes better protection against tampering and environmental conditions, such as extreme temperatures and electromagnetic interference.

 

• Role-Based and Identity-Based Authentication: While FIPS 140-2 introduced role-based authentication, FIPS 140-3 enhances this by including identity-based authentication, providing an additional layer of security by ensuring that specific individuals are authorised to access cryptographic modules.

 

• Security Policy Documentation: FIPS 140-3 requires more detailed and comprehensive documentation of security policies. This documentation must clearly outline how security requirements are met and maintained over the lifecycle of the cryptographic module.

 

• Mitigation of Non-Invasive Attacks: FIPS 140-3 introduces requirements for mitigating non-invasive attacks such as side-channel attacks, which are techniques that exploit physical leakages like electromagnetic emissions or power consumption.

 

 

Transition from FIPS 140-2 to FIPS 140-3

The transition from FIPS 140-2 to FIPS 140-3 involves updating existing modules to meet the new standards, ensuring continued compliance and security. This process includes:

 

1. Assessment of Current Compliance: Organisations must first assess their current cryptographic modules to determine how they comply with FIPS 140-2 and identify gaps in meeting FIPS 140-3 requirements.
2. Module Redesign and Testing: For modules that do not meet the new standards, redesigning and testing them to ensure compliance with FIPS 140-3 is necessary. This often involves enhancing physical security measures, updating cryptographic algorithms, and implementing more robust authentication mechanisms.
3. Documentation and Policy Updates: Updating security policy documentation to align with FIPS 140-3’s more detailed requirements is a crucial step. This ensures that all aspects of the module’s security are thoroughly documented and compliant.
4. Submission for Re-Certification: After updating the modules and documentation, they must be submitted to NIST for re-certification. This process involves rigorous testing to confirm that the modules meet all FIPS 140-3 requirements.
5. Ongoing Compliance and Monitoring: Maintaining compliance with FIPS 140-3 is an ongoing process. Organisations must continuously monitor their cryptographic modules to ensure they remain secure against evolving threats and adhere to the latest standards.

By understanding and implementing the changes required by FIPS 140-3, organisations can enhance their security posture and ensure that their cryptographic modules provide the highest level of protection for sensitive data.

 

 

 

Challenges in Achieving FIPS 140-2 Compliance

Achieving compliance can be challenging, involving technical and financial hurdles.

 

Technical Challenges

Developing modules that meet FIPS 140-2 standards requires advanced technical expertise.

 

Financial and Resource Implications

The certification process can be costly, requiring significant investment in resources and time.

 

Future of Cryptographic Standards

Cryptographic standards continue to evolve, with exciting advancements on the horizon.

 

Trends and Advancements in Cryptography

Emerging trends such as quantum cryptography and advanced encryption methods promise to revolutionise data security.

 

Predictions for Future Standards

Future cryptographic standards will likely address new security challenges and leverage technological advancements to provide even more robust protection for sensitive data.

 

 

SecureDrive and FIPS 140-2

For businesses like SecureDrive, ensuring FIPS 140-2 compliance with our encrypted USB storage devices such as our encrypted USB stick  is a top priority. Here’s how we achieve it and why it matters:

 

How SecureDrive Ensures Compliance

At SecureDrive, we adhere to the stringent requirements of FIPS 140-2 through rigorous testing and continuous improvements. Our partnership with iStorage allows us to provide hardware encrypted storage devices that meet and exceed these standards.

 

Benefits of Choosing SecureDrive Products

When you choose SecureDrive, you’re not just buying a storage device; you’re investing in top-notch security. Our FIPS 140-2 compliant products ensure your data is protected with the highest level of encryption, providing peace of mind for individuals and businesses alike.

 

 

 

Our Wrap Up

So, what is FIPS 140-2? FIPS 140-2 is more than just a set of guidelines; it’s a cornerstone of modern data security. By ensuring compliance, organisations can protect sensitive information, build trust with users, and stay ahead of emerging security threats. For companies like SecureDrive, adhering to these standards is crucial in delivering products that offer unparalleled protection.

 

 

 

FAQs

1. What is FIPS 140-2 and what’s it’s main purpose?

The main purpose of FIPS 140-2 is to provide a standardised framework for evaluating the security of cryptographic modules, ensuring they offer adequate protection for sensitive information.

 

2. How does FIPS 140-2 improve data security?

FIPS 140-2 improves data security by setting stringent requirements for cryptographic modules, ensuring they can withstand various attacks and protect sensitive data from unauthorised access.

 

3. What are the different security levels in FIPS 140-2?

FIPS 140-2 defines four security levels:

• Level 1: Basic Security
• Level 2: Enhanced Security
• Level 3: Additional Tamper Resistance
• Level 4: Highest Level of Security

 

4. How does SecureDrive comply with FIPS 140-2?

SecureDrive complies with FIPS 140-2 by partnering with iStorage to provide hardware encrypted storage devices that meet the rigorous standards set by FIPS 140-2. We undergo extensive testing and validation processes to ensure our products are secure.

 

5. What is the difference between FIPS 140-2 and FIPS 140-3?

The main difference between FIPS 140-2 and FIPS 140-3 is that FIPS 140-3 includes updated requirements and new security measures to address emerging threats. It builds upon the foundation of FIPS 140-2, offering enhanced protection for cryptographic modules.

 

6. Is AES 256 FIPS 140-2 compliant?

Yes, AES 256 (Advanced Encryption Standard with a 256-bit key) can be FIPS 140-2 compliant. FIPS 140-2 (Federal Information Processing Standard) sets security requirements for cryptographic modules, and AES 256 is an approved encryption algorithm within this standard when implemented correctly. Compliance depends on the specific implementation and the certification of the cryptographic module used.

 

7. Is BitLocker FIPS 140-2 compliant?

BitLocker, Microsoft’s disk encryption feature, can be FIPS 140-2 compliant if configured properly. To ensure BitLocker is compliant, it must be set to use only FIPS-validated cryptographic algorithms and modules. This can be done through Group Policy settings in Windows, where administrators can enforce the use of FIPS-approved encryption methods.

 

8. What is FIPS 140-2 compliant?

FIPS 140-2 compliance refers to adherence to the Federal Information Processing Standard 140-2, which outlines security requirements for cryptographic modules. To be FIPS 140-2 compliant, a cryptographic module must meet specific security levels and be tested and validated by an accredited laboratory. This compliance ensures that the module provides a standardized level of security for protecting sensitive data.