CMVP on pace with last year's FIPS 140-2 validations

During the first quarter of 2011, the CMVP issued 53 new FIPS 140-2 certificates.  If we use simple math to predict the number of new FIPS certificates for 2011 we get 212 (there were 229 new certs last year).

InfoGard is 13% ahead of our record year (2010) after the first quarter.  I am predicting that the CMVP will be very close to equaling the number of new FIPS certificates this year.  The chart below shows the breakdown by Laboratory for 2011 (through April 12, 2011 there are 57 new FIPS certs).  The number under the Lab name is the number of certificates for 2011.

Comments posted for SP 800-131 B and 800-131 C

The comments received for the following drafts have been posted:

Comments received on SP 800-131 B DRAFT Transitions: Validation of Transitioning Cryptographic Algorithm and Key Lengths

Comments received on SP 800-131 C DRAFT Transitions: Validating the Transition from FIPS 186-2 to FIPS 186-3


The draft SPs are available here.

US government shut down will close NIST CMVP

NIST CMVP will be closed if the US Federal government is shut down on April 12th.  Any work requiring NIST CMVP involvement will be delayed until the US government executes a resolution to the budget.  A shut down will impact all FIPS 140-2 validations, revalidations, maintenance letters, and algorithm testing.

InfoGard and other FIPS laboratories will remain open.  Lab testing services that do not require NIST CMVP involvement will continue.

If a shut down does occur, I expect that the CMVP's recent excellent review times to be significantly impacted.

InfoGard is hiring: Security Engineer

InfoGard Laboratories is looking for a talented Security Engineer with great character traits and innate capabilities. Please visit the job description for details.

Code Corp. receives FIPS 140-2 certificates for Bar Code Readers

Code Corporation selected InfoGard as their testing laboratory for the following FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Bar Code Readers and Bluetooth Modem:

Cert. #

1509 - CodeXML® FIPS Bluetooth® Modem

1519 - Code Reader 2500 FIPS and Code Reader 3500 FIPS

See Code Corporation's Press Release for more information.  You may select the FIPS Certificate numbers above to visit the NIST website postings for these devices.

Congratulations on a successful FIPS validation Code Corp. Team!

GDC Technology's Integrated Media Block receives FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certificate

GDC Technology selected InfoGard as their FIPS 140-2 testing laboratory for validation of their Integrated Media Block (IMB).  A FIPS 140-2 validation at Security Level 3 is a requirement to meet Digital Cinema Initiative (DCI) specifications:

Cert. #

1518 - IMB

See the GDC Technology Press Release for more information.  You may select the FIPS Certificate number above to visit the posting on the NIST website.

Congratulations to the GDC Team!

Public meeting March 18 to discuss Federal transition to SHA-256

Re-posted summary from the Federal Register website:

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council, and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council are hosting the first of at least two public meetings to start a dialogue with industry and Government agencies about ways for the acquisition community to transition to Secure Hash Algorithm SHA-256. SHA-256 is a cryptographic hash function that is used in digital signatures and authentication protocols.

The meeting is March 18, 2011 from 9am-noon EDT.  Visit the Federal Register website for more details.