FIPS

Definition

FIPS, or Federal Information Processing Standards, are publicly announced standards developed by the United States federal government for use in computer systems by non-military government agencies and government contractors. These standards are designed to ensure that sensitive but unclassified information is adequately protected. FIPS standards cover various aspects of information security, including cryptographic algorithms, encryption modules, and data handling procedures.

Secure Settings Example

{
  "crypto": {
    "fips_mode": true
  }
}

In this example, a configuration file enables FIPS mode for a cryptographic library, ensuring that only FIPS-approved algorithms and modules are used.

Insecure Settings Example

{
  "crypto": {
    "fips_mode": false
  }
}

This configuration disables FIPS mode, allowing the use of non-FIPS-approved cryptographic algorithms, which may not meet the required security standards for handling sensitive information.