FIPS stands for “Federal Information Processing Standard” and describes binding guidelines for data and encryption security, monitored by the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) and the US Department of Commerce.
Its focus is on ensuring cybersecurity in US federal agencies and the defense sector by defining encryption criteria. Encryption plays a key role in cybersecurity frameworks, especially for U.S. government agencies and their partners. It protects data from unauthorized access at rest and in transit, essential for protecting against data theft. The US government has developed FIPS standards, particularly in the area of encryption and cryptography.
FIPS 140-2, one such standard, specifies security requirements for IT products intended for confidential, unclassified applications. With four security levels, the requirements range from basic to high tamper protection, and products must be certified to confirm their security level.