Working with FIPS 140-3 can get confusing fast, especially with all the acronyms involved. To help cut through the noise, here are our top 15 FIPS-related terms:
- FIPS – Federal Information Processing Standards
- NIST – National Institute of Standards and Technology
- CMVP – Cryptographic Module Validation Program
- CAVP – Cryptographic Algorithm Validation Program
- ESV – Entropy Source Validation (separate from but complimentary to a FIPS certificate)
- ACVP – Automated Cryptographic Validation Protocol
- NVLAP – National Voluntary Lab Accreditation Program
- SP – Security Policy
- UG – User Guide
- OE – Operational Environment (Chipset + OS + Cryptographic module)
- Tested Configuration – OE description including form factor used for testing
- OEUP – Operational Environment Update (add an OE to an existing FIPS certificate)
- UPDT – Module Update (Security relevant changes to an existing FIPS module, results in a new certificate # and new sunset date)
- PAA – Processor Algorithm Acceleration (Hardware assisted cryptographic acceleration)
- RBND – Rebrand an existing FIPS certificate into your company’s own letter/logo-head for marketing purposes (often referred to as a white-label)
If you have questions about any of the above, please contact us at facts@wolfssl.com or call us at +1 425 245 8247.
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