The Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP), a joint effort of the US and Canadian governments, approved the validation of the OpenSSL open source security toolkit for implementation of the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols on Friday. . OpenSSL is already in use by companies and organizations around the world. However, validation that the toolkit meets the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 regulations means that US and Canadian government agencies that handle sensitive data can use the free, open source security software. The CMVP is run by the US National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) and Canada's Communications Security Establishment (CSE) to provide testing of cryptographic modules in accredited labs, which makes sure that security software does what it is designed to do every time it's used, based on the FIPS standards. While not yet officially validated, CMVP Director Randy Easter said validation of the open source software "is a done deal." OpenSSL is now in the finalization stage of the CMVP pre-validation process. Although a certificate must be printed and signed by representatives of both NIST and CSE, Easter said the certificate could be signed, and the validation official, as early as next week. The link for this article located at NewsForge is no longer available. . OpenSSL is already in use by companies and organizations around the world. However, validation that . cryptographic, module, validation, program, (cmvp), joint, effort, canadian, government. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
The National Institute of Standards and Technology has approved an open-source library of encryption algorithms for use on sensitive government networks, the Open Source Software Institute announced this month. The cryptographic module of OpenSSL (https://www.openssl.org:443/ ), an open-source version of Secure . . . . The National Institute of Standards and Technology has approved an open-source library of encryption algorithms for use on sensitive government networks, the Open Source Software Institute announced this month. The cryptographic module of OpenSSL (https://www.openssl.org:443/ ), an open-source version of Secure Sockets Layer encryption, has passed Federal Information Processing Standard 140-2 Level 1 tests. The library in version 0.9.7b of OpenSSL was validated--FIPS serves as validation only for encryption modules, not entire software packages. U.S. federal agencies must use FIPS-compliant products to secure networks carrying unclassified but sensitive data. The OpenSSL library uses the Advanced Encryption Standard, the Data Encryption Standard, the Digital Signature Algorithm, FIPS-mode RSA and the FIPS-qualified Secure Hash Algorithm-1, or SH-1. Software testing was sponsored by the Defense Department's Defense Medical Logistics Standard Support Program, Hewlett-Packard Co., OSSI, PreVal Specialists Inc., OpenSSL developers and the Domus IT Security Laboratory of Ottawa, which did the validation testing. The link for this article located at GCN is no longer available. . The Federal Agency for Technological Standards has sanctioned a public-domain repository of cryptographic tools for official implementation.. OpenSSL FIPS Compliance, Encryption Standards, Government Security. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
Knowledge of cryptographic techniques used to belong almost exclusively to governments, which use cryptography to protect political, diplomatic and military secrets against the prying eyes of other governments. Historically, governments took steps to restrict the spread of cryptographic knowledge. Cryptographic activities . . . . Knowledge of cryptographic techniques used to belong almost exclusively to governments, which use cryptography to protect political, diplomatic and military secrets against the prying eyes of other governments. Historically, governments took steps to restrict the spread of cryptographic knowledge. Cryptographic activities were conducted in secret departments, some actually called "Black Chambers." Cryptographic texts were suppressed or classified. Knowledge was passed from person to person, from master to apprentice. Trade in cryptographic information or equipment was banned. The field of cryptography was intentionally cloaked in mystery. . Cryptography has been vital in protecting sensitive information throughout history, evolving from ancient ciphers to modern encryption techniques used by governments. Cryptography Techniques, Data Protection Strategies, Government Encryption Techniques. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
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