FIPS 140 vs. CMMC Cryptography Requirements

FIPS 140 and CMMC are two key standards for cryptography and cybersecurity:

FIPS 140: US government standard for cryptographic modules
CMMC: DoD standard for overall cybersecurity maturity

Here's a quick comparison:

Feature	FIPS 140	CMMC
Focus	Cryptographic modules	Overall cybersecurity
Users	Federal agencies, contractors	DoD contractors, suppliers
Levels	4 security levels	5 maturity levels
Certification	NIST validation	CMMC AB assessment
Time to comply	9-18 months	3-24 months

Key points:

Both aim to protect sensitive data
Use similar encryption tools (AES, RSA, SHA)
CMMC requires FIPS-validated cryptography for CUI
Organizations may need to follow both standards
Standards likely to evolve with new security threats

Understanding both is crucial for handling sensitive government and defense data.

2. What is FIPS 140?

FIPS 140

2.1 FIPS 140 Explained

FIPS 140 is a US government standard for cryptographic modules. It stands for Federal Information Processing Standard Publication 140. This standard checks and approves the hardware, software, or firmware that do cryptographic tasks. FIPS 140 makes sure these modules are secure enough to protect sensitive data.

2.2 Main Parts of FIPS 140

FIPS 140 has four key areas:

Area	Description
Security Requirements	Rules for how cryptographic modules should work to be secure
Module Validation	Testing process to check if modules meet security rules
Algorithm Validation	Testing process to check if the math formulas used are correct
Physical Security	Rules for how to protect the actual hardware of the modules

2.3 FIPS 140 Security Levels

FIPS 140 has four security levels, from Level 1 (basic) to Level 4 (strongest):

Level	Features
1	Basic design and testing
2	Adds physical security (e.g., locks)
3	Adds protection against environment (e.g., temperature)
4	Highest security, protects against complex attacks

Each level builds on the one before it, adding more security features.

3. What is CMMC?

CMMC

3.1 CMMC Explained

CMMC stands for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification. It's a standard set by the US Department of Defense (DoD) to check how well organizations protect sensitive data. This includes:

Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)
Federal Contract Information (FCI)

CMMC uses five levels to measure an organization's cybersecurity skills.

3.2 CMMC Maturity Levels

CMMC has five levels, each showing better cybersecurity:

Level	What it Means
1	Basic cyber safety
2	Better cyber safety
3	Good cyber safety
4	Strong cyber safety
5	Top cyber safety

Each level adds more security measures to the one before it.

3.3 CMMC Cryptography Rules

CMMC has specific rules for cryptography:

Rule	Description
Use approved methods	Only use cryptography methods that are okay'd by experts
Manage keys safely	Keep the "keys" that unlock encrypted data very safe
Protect data	Keep data safe when it's being sent and when it's stored
Use safe communication	Use secure ways to send data, like HTTPS and SFTP

CMMC also says organizations need a plan for how they'll use and manage cryptography.

These rules help make sure that sensitive data stays safe from:

People who shouldn't see it
Changes that shouldn't happen
Being destroyed

By following these rules, organizations can keep their data safe and follow DoD rules.

Next, we'll look at how FIPS 140 and CMMC cryptography rules are alike and different.

4. FIPS 140 vs. CMMC: Cryptography Rules

4.1 Who Needs to Follow Each Standard

FIPS 140 and CMMC have different rules and apply to different groups:

Standard	Who It's For	What It Covers
FIPS 140	Federal agencies, contractors, organizations handling sensitive government data	Cryptographic modules used to protect sensitive information
CMMC	DoD contractors, subcontractors, suppliers	Protection of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Federal Contract Information (FCI)

Some organizations may need to follow both standards if they work with the DoD and handle sensitive government data.

4.2 Encryption Methods and Key Management

Both standards require approved encryption methods and good key management:

Aspect	FIPS 140	CMMC
Encryption methods	Specific approved algorithms (e.g., AES, RSA)	Approved algorithms, including more options like elliptic curve cryptography
Key management	Basic secure practices	More detailed requirements for storage and key removal

4.3 How to Check Compliance

Organizations can check if they're following the rules in different ways:

Method	FIPS 140	CMMC
Self-check	Yes	Yes
Outside audit	Yes	Yes
Official program	FIPS 140 validation program by NIST	CMMC assessment program by CMMC Accreditation Body

4.4 Comparison Table

Here's a quick look at how FIPS 140 and CMMC compare:

Feature	FIPS 140	CMMC
Encryption methods	AES, RSA	AES, RSA, elliptic curve
Key management	Basic secure practices	Detailed storage and removal rules
Compliance check	FIPS 140 validation	CMMC assessment
Who uses it	Federal agencies and contractors	DoD contractors and suppliers

5. Main Differences Between FIPS 140 and CMMC

5.1 How to Get Certified

FIPS 140 and CMMC have different ways to get certified:

Standard	Certification Process	Steps
FIPS 140	NIST validation	1. Make a cryptographic module that meets FIPS 140 rules 2. Send the module to NIST 3. Pass NIST's tests
CMMC	CMMC AB assessment	1. Figure out which CMMC level you need 2. Set up the right security measures 3. Have a CMMC AB assessor check your work 4. Get certified at your level

5.2 Time to Comply

Getting certified takes different amounts of time:

Standard	Time to Comply	Details
FIPS 140	9-18 months	• 6-12 months to make and test the module • 3-6 months for NIST to check it
CMMC	3-24 months	• Level 1: 3-6 months • Level 2: 6-12 months • Level 3: 1-2 years

5.3 Which Industries Are Affected

FIPS 140 and CMMC apply to different groups:

Standard	Who It's For
FIPS 140	• Federal agencies • Contractors with sensitive government data • Groups that need very secure cryptographic tools
CMMC	• DoD contractors and subcontractors • Suppliers who handle CUI and FCI

5.4 Differences Table

Feature	FIPS 140	CMMC
Who checks	NIST	CMMC AB assessor
Time to get ready	9-18 months	3-24 months
Who uses it	Federal agencies, contractors	DoD contractors, suppliers
What it checks	How secure cryptographic tools are	How good overall cybersecurity is
Levels	4 security levels	5 maturity levels

6. How FIPS 140 and CMMC Are Similar

6.1 Common Security Goals

FIPS 140 and CMMC both aim to keep sensitive information safe. They do this by:

Stopping people who shouldn't see the data from seeing it
Making sure no one changes the data without permission
Checking that the data is real and hasn't been faked

Both standards focus on:

Keeping encryption keys safe
Using good ways to encrypt and decrypt data
Checking security often to make sure it's working well

6.2 Shared Encryption Standards

FIPS 140 and CMMC use the same basic encryption tools:

Encryption Tool	What It Does
AES	Protects data using the same key to lock and unlock
RSA	Uses different keys for locking and unlocking, good for sending data safely
SHA	Checks if data has been changed

These tools help both standards keep data safe in the same ways.

6.3 Similarities Table

Feature	FIPS 140	CMMC
Main Goal	Keep sensitive data safe	Keep sensitive data safe
Encryption Tools	AES, RSA, SHA	AES, RSA, SHA
Key Safety	Make, share, and store keys safely	Make, share, and store keys safely
Security Checks	Test security often	Test security often

Both FIPS 140 and CMMC use these features to make sure data stays safe and private.

7. What This Means for Organizations

7.1 Choosing Between FIPS 140 and CMMC

When deciding which standard to follow, organizations should look at their specific needs:

Standard	Best For	Key Features
FIPS 140	Government agencies and contractors	• Clear rules for cryptographic tools • Often needed for federal contracts
CMMC	DoD contractors and suppliers	• Focuses on overall cybersecurity • Required for DoD work

Organizations should pick based on their main work and clients. Those working with general government agencies might prefer FIPS 140, while those in defense should choose CMMC.

7.2 Following Both Standards

Some organizations might need to follow both FIPS 140 and CMMC. This can be tricky, but there are ways to make it easier:

Find where the standards overlap
Make a plan that covers both sets of rules
Use tools that meet both standards' requirements
Check and update the plan regularly

By doing these things, organizations can meet both standards without doubling their work.

7.3 Costs and Resources Needed

Following FIPS 140 and CMMC takes time and money. Organizations need to think about:

Cost Area	Examples
Tools and practices	Buying and using secure software and hardware
Training	Teaching staff about the standards
Checks	Regular security tests
Updates	Keeping everything up to date

The exact costs depend on how big the organization is and what security they already have. To plan for these costs, organizations should:

Check what they need to improve
Make a detailed plan
Set a budget and timeline
Keep checking and updating their plan

While it costs money to follow these standards, it helps keep data safe and builds trust with customers and partners.

8. What's Next for FIPS 140 and CMMC

8.1 Expected Changes to Standards

As new threats appear, FIPS 140 and CMMC will likely change to stay useful. Here are some possible updates:

Standard	Possible Changes
FIPS 140	• New ways to encrypt data • Rules for securing Internet of Things devices • Better ways to test security
CMMC	• Cover more areas of cybersecurity • Clearer instructions on how to follow the rules • More focus on keeping the supply chain safe

These changes will help both standards keep sensitive data safe as technology changes.

8.2 Will Standards Become More or Less Alike?

As FIPS 140 and CMMC change, they might become more similar in some ways, but they'll still be different overall. Here's why:

Similar goals: Both want to keep data safe, private, and correct. They might use some of the same security methods.
Different focus: FIPS 140 will still be about encryption tools, while CMMC will look at all parts of cybersecurity for DoD suppliers.

Companies should keep an eye on changes to both standards and update their security plans when needed.

Aspect	FIPS 140	CMMC
Main focus	Encryption tools	Overall cybersecurity
Who uses it	Government agencies and contractors	DoD suppliers
What might change	Encryption methods, testing process	Scope of security measures, assessment details

9. Conclusion

9.1 Key Points Review

Let's go over the main points about FIPS 140 and CMMC:

Aspect	FIPS 140	CMMC
Focus	Cryptographic modules	Overall cybersecurity
Who uses it	Federal agencies and contractors	DoD suppliers
Levels	4 security levels	5 maturity levels
Main goal	Secure encryption tools	Protect sensitive defense data

Both standards help keep sensitive data safe, but they do it in different ways.

9.2 Why Knowing Both Standards Matters

It's important to understand both FIPS 140 and CMMC if you work with sensitive data, especially in defense. Here's why:

Following the rules: You need to meet both standards' requirements to handle sensitive data properly.
Keeping data safe: Both standards help protect important information from threats.
Staying current: As technology changes, these standards might change too. It's important to keep up with any updates.

FAQs

Does CMMC require FIPS?

CMMC needs FIPS-validated cryptography, but only for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Here's a breakdown:

Information Type	FIPS Requirement
CUI	FIPS-validated cryptography needed
Federal Contract Information (FCI)	FIPS-validated cryptography not needed

Is FIPS required for CMMC?

FIPS is needed for CMMC, but only for CUI. Here's what you need to know:

Aspect	Requirement
Handling CUI	Use FIPS 140 standard cryptographic tools
Handling FCI	FIPS-validated cryptography not needed

When setting up your CMMC-compliant cybersecurity program, keep these differences in mind. Make sure you use the right tools for each type of information you handle.

FIPS 140 vs. CMMC Cryptography Requirements