FIPS 140-3 is the current U.S. government standard for cryptographic modules. If your software processes sensitive data for government contracts, federal agencies, or regulated industries, your TLS configuration must align with it. Non‑compliance is not a warning—it’s a blocker.
What FIPS 140-3 Requires for TLS
FIPS 140-3 sets strict requirements for encryption algorithms, key lengths, and module validation. For TLS, it means:
- Only approved cryptographic algorithms: AES (GCM), SHA-256 or higher, and ECDSA or RSA with sufficient key sizes.
- TLS 1.2 or 1.3 only—older versions and weak ciphers are banned.
- All modules must be FIPS-validated, not just “FIPS capable.”
- No static keys or non-approved RNGs.
Practical TLS Configuration Steps
- Disable TLS 1.0, 1.1 in server settings.
- Restrict cipher suites to FIPS-approved algorithms:
TLS_AES_256_GCM_SHA384
TLS_ECDHE_RSA_WITH_AES_256_GCM_SHA384
TLS_ECDHE_ECDSA_WITH_AES_256_GCM_SHA384
- Use OpenSSL built with FIPS 140-3 module.
- Ensure the OS cryptographic library is in FIPS mode.
- Audit certificates—must use approved key lengths (RSA ≥ 2048 bits; ECDSA ≥ P-256).
Verification for Compliance
Run automated scans with OpenSSL or Nmap to list supported protocols and ciphers. Compare them against the CMVP-approved list. Keep policy documents and logs—many audits require evidence.
Why FIPS 140-3 TLS Configuration Matters
A misconfigured TLS setup can fail audits and delay deployment. It can block contracts. It can trigger incident reports. FIPS compliance guarantees alignment with the strictest crypto baseline in the U.S., and in many cases, internationally.
Secure, compliant TLS is not optional for regulated systems—it’s the gatekeeper. Configure it once, verify often, and treat exceptions as security incidents.
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