FIPS 140-3: Cryptographic Module Security Requirements

 FIPS 140-3 (Federal Information Processing Standard Publication 140-3)

FIPS 140-3 (Federal Information Processing Standard Publication 140-3) is a U.S. and Canadian government standard that defines security requirements for cryptographic modules—the hardware, software, or firmware that performs encryption, decryption, key management, and other cryptographic functions. It was published by NIST in 2019 and supersedes FIPS 140-2 1.

Purpose and Scope

FIPS 140-3 ensures that cryptographic modules used to protect sensitive information meet rigorous security standards. It applies to:

• Federal agencies
• Contractors working with federal systems
• Private sector organizations (e.g., banks, healthcare, SaaS providers) that handle sensitive data or want to meet procurement requirements 2.

Key Components of FIPS 140-3

FIPS 140-3 builds on international standards ISO/IEC 19790:2012 and ISO/IEC 24759:2017 and includes:

1. Cryptographic Module Specification

• Defines the module’s architecture, cryptographic algorithms, key sizes, and operations.

2. Module Interfaces and Ports

• Specifies how the module connects to other systems and ensures secure data flow.

3. Roles, Services, and Authentication

• Defines user roles (e.g., admin, operator) and access controls.

4. Software/Firmware Security

• Ensures secure coding practices and protection against tampering.

5. Operating Environment

• Addresses the security of the OS or platform hosting the module.

6. Physical Security

• Includes tamper-evidence, tamper-resistance, and environmental protections.

7. Sensitive Security Parameter (SSP) Management

• Covers secure handling of keys and other sensitive data.

8. Self-Tests

• Modules must perform startup and conditional tests to verify integrity.

9. Life-Cycle Assurance

• Ensures secure development, deployment, and maintenance.

10. Mitigation of Other Attacks

• Addresses side-channel attacks, fault injection, and other advanced threats 1 3.

Security Levels

FIPS 140-3 defines four security levels, each increasing in rigor:

• Level 1: Basic security; software-only modules allowed.
• Level 2: Adds role-based authentication and physical tamper-evidence.
• Level 3: Requires identity-based authentication and physical tamper-resistance.
• Level 4: Highest level; protects against environmental attacks and advanced threats.

Validation Process

Validation is conducted through the Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP), jointly run by NIST and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security. The process includes:

1. Pre-validation: Internal assessments and documentation.

2. Testing: Performed by accredited labs; includes penetration testing and algorithm verification.

3. Post-validation: Ongoing monitoring, updates, and revalidation if changes occur 3.

Why It Matters

• Trust: FIPS validation is often a baseline requirement for government and enterprise contracts.
• Security: Ensures cryptographic modules are robust against modern threats.
• Compliance: Helps meet regulatory requirements (e.g., HIPAA, FedRAMP, PCI-DSS).
• Global Alignment: Harmonizes with international standards for broader applicability 2.