FIPS 140-3 is the current gold standard for validating cryptographic modules in the U.S. Federal Government and regulated industries. It defines security requirements for hardware, software, and firmware that handle sensitive information. Passing FIPS 140-3 means your cryptographic implementation has been tested in a NIST-accredited lab and meets strict requirements for design, key management, self-tests, and tamper response.
RASP — Runtime Application Self-Protection — adds a different type of guard. Instead of focusing only on encryption algorithms or key handling, RASP instruments the application itself to detect and block attacks in real time, from inside the running process. It works at runtime, watching inputs, execution flows, and system calls, triggering protections before an exploit reaches its target.
The intersection of FIPS 140-3 and RASP is where compliance meets active defense. FIPS 140-3 certified cryptographic modules ensure that your encryption and key handling meet approved standards, while RASP ensures that attempted bypasses, injections, or tampering never get the chance to undermine that base. Together, they address both the trustworthiness of your cryptographic engine and the operational security of your application environment.