Federal glossary · Regulation
FIPS 140-2 (Federal Information Processing Standard) specifies security requirements for cryptographic modules used to protect sensitive information in federal systems. Four levels of increasing security. FIPS 140-3 is the successor. Federal contractors must use FIPS-validated encryption modules for data at rest and in transit.
Example: FAR Part 15, DFARS, or a statute such as the NDAA.
Reference record · Sources: Federal acquisition and regulatory source · Verified Jul 2, 2026 · Covers definition, governing source
Also known as
FIPS 140-2 (Federal Information Processing Standard) specifies security requirements for cryptographic modules used to protect sensitive information in federal systems. Four levels of increasing security. FIPS 140-3 is the successor. Federal contractors must use FIPS-validated encryption modules for data at rest and in transit.
is a regulation concept federal contractors and grant writers run into across solicitations, regulations, and award filings
FIPS 140-2 is part of the federal regulatory framework that governs procurement, performance, or compliance. For example: Example: FAR Part 15, DFARS, or a statute such as the NDAA. For contractors, FIPS 140-2 is not just background — it shapes solicitation language, evaluation criteria, source-selection authority, and what counts as compliant performance. Understanding when FIPS 140-2 applies and (more importantly) when it doesn't apply is the difference between a proposal that's competitive within its actual constraint set and one that over-engineers compliance. Contracting officers use FIPS 140-2 as common vocabulary, so reading their decisions, modifications, and source-selection memoranda gets easier when the regulation is in your working memory. Pair FIPS 140-2 with the related terms above to see how it interacts with adjacent regulatory mechanisms.
Example: FAR Part 15, DFARS, or a statute such as the NDAA.
Meaning in practice
FIPS 140-2 is part of the federal rule set that governs procurement, compliance, or program administration.
Where you’ll see it
You will see it in the FAR, DFARS, the Federal Register, clauses, and compliance checklists. Example: Example: FAR Part 15, DFARS, or a statute such as the NDAA..
Common confusion
People often confuse a regulation with agency guidance or with a checklist that merely references the rule.
What to do next
Find the exact citation and confirm whether the page links to a part, clause, or agency interpretation.
No related questions are available yet.
Get notified when usage of FIPS 140-2 changes in contracts or guidance.
Search active federal contracts and solicitations related to FIPS 140-2 on Bureauify.
100M+ government records · 110+ gov/news sources · Sourced from official federal systems
