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FIPS

What is FIPS?

Federal Information Processing Standards, US government standards for computer systems used by non-military federal agencies and government contractors.

Compliance and Regulatory

Each of these is named in at least one of the same controls as fips. The number is how many controls name both.

What the standards actually require on fips

Requirements naming fips across 6 standards, quoted from the control text.

Implement CNSA 2.0 algorithms using cryptographic modules validated under the NIST/CCCS Cryptographic Module Validation Program (FIPS 140-3).

CNSA2-CMVP · FIPS 140-3 Validated Modules (CMVP)

Implement FIPS 204 ML-DSA (Module-Lattice-Based Digital Signature Algorithm) based on CRYSTALS-Dilithium for digital signatures + authentication + non-repudiation.

PQC-3 · FIPS 204 ML-DSA Implementation - Module-Lattice Digital Signature
FISMA3 controls

FISMA is operationalized through NIST publications (mandatory per 44 USC 3553(e) + NIST FISMA Implementation Project). NIST SP 800-53 REV 5 (Security and Privacy Controls): 1,189 controls + control enhancements across 20 families (AC + AT + AU + CA + CM + CP +...

FISMA-NIST-800-53-RMF-800-171-FIPS · Operationalisation via NIST 800-53 + 800-37 RMF + 800-171 + FIPS 199 + FIPS 200
NIST SP 800-1713 controls

Employ FIPS-validated cryptography when used to protect the confidentiality of CUI.

SP800-171-3.13.11 · Employ FIPS-validated cryptography

Questions people ask about fips

What is FIPS?
Federal Information Processing Standards, US government standards for computer systems used by non-military federal agencies and government contractors.
Why is FIPS important for compliance?
FIPS is a key concept in Compliance and Regulatory. Understanding fips helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and demonstrate due diligence during audits. Our compliance platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings.
Which compliance frameworks address FIPS?
FIPS appears in the requirement text of IRS Publication 1075, Commercial National Security Algorithm Suite (CNSA) 2.0, India Account Aggregator Framework (RBI), NIST Post-Quantum Cryptography Standards (FIPS 203, 204, 205), FISMA. Across these standards we have identified 27 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about FIPS?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how fips applies across different standards and regulations. Our implementation guides provide step-by-step guidance, and the compliance platform offers AI-powered analysis of how this concept maps across 686 frameworks.

See how FIPS applies across compliance frameworks

Our platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings. Explore how this concept is addressed across standards.

Written and maintained by Gerard Blokdyk, The Art of Service.