Fips 140-3 Compliant List
You find the fips 140 3 compliant list in the NIST CMVP database. Teams check this public list to confirm that crypto modules meet federal rules. Most teams build an internal inventory of every OS library and database driver. Then they match each module version against the federal record. Still, teams often grant broad admin roles to run these checks across production hosts. Broad roles let engineers read raw secrets and run unsafe commands during audits. How to check the fips 140 3 compliant
FIPS 140-3: the complete guide
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You find the fips 140 3 compliant list in the NIST CMVP database. Teams check this public list to confirm that crypto modules meet federal rules. Most teams build an internal inventory of every OS library and database driver. Then they match each module version against the federal record. Still, teams often grant broad admin roles to run these checks across production hosts. Broad roles let engineers read raw secrets and run unsafe commands during audits.
How to check the fips 140 3 compliant list
The Cryptographic Module Validation Program maintains the official federal record of approved crypto modules. NIST and Canadian partners test software libraries and hardware tokens before listing them. Each entry on the fips 140 3 compliant list shows a certificate number. It also shows the vendor name, the exact module version, and the test status. You must match the exact software version running on your servers to the certificate.
To check your fleet, start by listing every service that handles sensitive data. Identify the TLS libraries, disk encryption tools, and database drivers on each host. Next, search the NIST database by vendor name or certificate number. Check that the module status is active and not historical or revoked. Confirm that the host operating system matches the tested platform on the certificate. Finally, check that the host runs the module in its approved mode. If a host runs an unapproved version, you must patch the library.
What module validation solves and what it misses
Checking your crypto modules against federal standards solves a core security problem. It proves that your encryption math and key storage have passed lab testing. When data moves across the network, strong ciphers protect the packets from snoopers. When data sits on a disk, approved modules protect the raw blocks.
Still, validated crypto modules only protect bytes at rest and in transit. They do not inspect what happens after an engineer logs into a server. Once a user opens an encrypted database session, the crypto module steps aside. The module encrypts a destructive drop table command just as well as a safe read. It also encrypts bulk query results full of customer emails and card numbers. Native roles decide who can log in, not what commands do in flight.
To pass strict audits, teams need more than approved crypto libraries on hosts. You must also control who runs commands and what data returns in results. Data masking rewrites matched fields like phone numbers or national IDs in results. Command controls stop risky queries before they hit the database engine.
FIPS 140-3: architecture patterns and best practices
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How to keep your crypto inventory up to date
Crypto validation is not a one-time task for your security team. Software vendors patch libraries often, and old certificates move to the historical list. When a team upgrades a base container image, the underlying crypto library changes. A minor patch can swap a validated module for an untested upstream build.
You should track module versions inside your standard build and deploy pipeline. Pin your base images to OS releases that ship with validated crypto packages. Run automated checks during builds to confirm that the FIPS mode flag stays active. Record the NIST certificate number for each core service in your compliance log. Keep engineer roles narrow so staff cannot disable FIPS mode on live servers. Separating build checks from live server permissions keeps your audit trail clean.
Govern statements and responses across databases and APIs
Good config and scoped roles are needed setup. They do not check single queries in flight or mask sensitive fields in returned rows. Across Postgres, MySQL, SQL Server, MongoDB, ClickHouse, Kubernetes APIs, SSH, and internal HTTP endpoints, hoop.dev runs beside each supported service as an open-source proxy, a sidecar for your database or API.
First, hoop.dev guardrails block banned queries before they run. Then hoop.dev data masking rewrites matched sensitive values in responses in memory. The audit trail records every statement and verdict per resource. Furthermore, hoop.dev holds SOC 2 Type II and is open source on GitHub.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the official fips 140 3 compliant list hosted?
NIST hosts the official list on the Cryptographic Module Validation Program web page. You can search validated modules by vendor name, certificate number, or validation date.
Does using a listed module make our whole app compliant?
No, a validated module only covers the cryptographic boundary of that specific library. You still need access controls, audit logs, and safe settings across your whole system.
What happens when a module moves to the historical list?
Federal agencies should stop buying new systems that rely on historical modules. Existing deployments often need a migration plan to upgrade to an active module version.