Most security standards, including government standards, require cryptography. We are generally familiar with implementing a cryptographic algorithm that meets these requirements and calling it a day. However, to ensure security, NIST also publishes standards for validating encryption modules to ensure they serve their purpose under federal standards. Here, we’re discussing the Cryptographic Algorithm Validation Program… Read More
IT security in the federal market is layered and multifaceted. Specific requirements exist for different types of data platforms and technologies. At a more granular level, standards have been developed for individual IT products: NIAP Protection Profiles. This article will cover why these profiles are essential for federal security, how to find them, and what… Read More
We’ve often focused on security and maintenance from the perspective of technology itself–specifically, how it is deployed and used by individuals in the real world. But, the truth is that assessments of security technologies don’t start when an enterprise deploys them. Rather, in cases of tech like cryptography modules and biometrics, it begins in the… Read More
The Common Criteria, recognized worldwide, provides a standardized framework for evaluating the security attributes of IT products and systems. From defining security requirements to testing and verifying products against these requirements, the Common Criteria assure that the evaluation process is rigorous, repeatable, and thorough. To ensure the success of the program on a national basis,… Read More
The National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) handles lab and testing requirements for several categories of products and services, several within cybersecurity. One of the most important categories is cryptographic testing and validation.
When we discuss cybersecurity, it’s most often done in the context of audits, assessments, or certifications. However, specific systems and components require more stringent testing standards, ensuring that the technology functions correctly and securely after construction or during ongoing operational use. To support the testing and assurance of these components, the National Institutes of Standards… Read More