Welcome to the CMVP

The Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP) is a joint effort between the National Institute of Standards and Technology under the Department of Commerce and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, a branch of the Communications Security Establishment. The goal of the CMVP is to promote the use of validated cryptographic modules and provide Federal agencies with a security metric to use in procuring equipment containing validated cryptographic modules. 

Cryptographic and Security Testing (CST) Laboratories are independent laboratories accredited by NVLAP. CST Labs verify each module meets a set of testable cryptographic and security requirements, with each CST laboratory submission reviewed and validated by CMVP.  

The CMVP continues to validate cryptographic modules to Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2, Security Requirements for Cryptographic Modules until September 22, 2021.

As of September 22, 2020 CMVP additionally begins validating cryptographic modules to Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-3, Security Requirements for Cryptographic Modules.

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Applicability Of Validated Modules

Modules validated as conforming to FIPS 140-2 will continue to be accepted by the Federal agencies of both countries for the protection of sensitive information (United States) or Designated Information (Canada) through September 22, 2026. After that time CMVP will place the FIPS 140-2 validated modules on the Historical List, allowing agencies to use these modules for existing applications.

FIPS 140-3 submissions for validations will be accepted September 22, 2020. Upon validation, modules will be placed on the Active list for 5 years and may be purchased for new and existing applications.

Status of CMVP validation effort

 CMVP is experiencing a significant backlog in the validation process. Use of validated modules currently on the active list is encouraged.

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Use of Unvalidated Cryptographic Modules by Federal Agencies and Departments

 Unvalidated cryptography is viewed by NIST as providing no protection to the information or data—in effect the data would be considered unprotected plaintext. If the agency specifies that the information or data be cryptographically protected, then FIPS 140-2 (until September 22, 2026) or FIPS 140-3 (beginning September 22, 2020) is applicable. In essence, if cryptography is required, then it must be validated. Should the cryptographic module be revoked, use of that module is no longer permitted.

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