FIPS 140-3 Certified Security with Saaras

Saaras’ Istio FIPS Subscription integrates hardened, NIST-validated cryptographic modules into your Istio service mesh, ensuring the strictest security assurance for every packet and communication path. Built on zero trust principles and tuned for compliance with NIST and FedRAMP mandates, Saaras enables organizations to:

• Deploy across regions and cloud providers with uniform, cryptographically validated security.
• Eliminate manual operations with automated encryption of data in transit and at rest, using only NIST-approved algorithms.
• Achieve comprehensive identity verification and continuous Zero Trust enforcement at every communication boundary.
• Generate compliance audit-ready reports to support FedRAMP ATO and FISMA assessments.
• Benefit from ongoing validation, live security posture monitoring, and predictable lifecycle support.

Understanding FIPS 140-3: Federal Compliance Requirements

FIPS 140-3 is the definitive cryptographic module standard required for federal agencies and any organization handling sensitive government data. Saaras proactively architects FIPS 140-3 into every layer of its Istio subscription, meeting or exceeding NIST security guidelines and aligning with ISO/IEC 19790 and ISO/IEC 24759 international security frameworks.

Following the April 2022 mandate, only FIPS 140-3 validated modules are newly accepted; legacy FIPS 140-2 modules are permitted solely for maintenance until September 21, 2026. Saaras' validated offerings preempt this transition, future-proofing deployments and supporting long-term compliance contracts for agencies and contractors.
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Who Must Be FIPS 140-3 Validated?

Saaras addresses the regulatory landscape for:

• Federal agencies and contractors: Required by law to use FIPS 140-3 validated cryptography to secure Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
• Cloud providers (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS): FedRAMP mandates FIPS-validated encryption for all government-authorized cloud services. Heavily regulated industries: Banking, healthcare, and energy companies increasingly demand FIPS 140-3 validated security, even absent an explicit legal requirement, to protect sensitive assets and avoid compliance gaps.

FIPS in FedRAMP: Direct Path to ATO

Saaras simplifies and accelerates the FedRAMP moderate and high authorization journey by providing:

• Cryptographic modules explicitly mapped to SC-13 and related SP 800-53 controls.
• Instant visibility and documentation for agency auditors via the NIST-published FIPS 140-3 certificate.
• Validated cryptography that covers every communications, storage, and identity domain, fulfilling the cross-referenced requirements in FedRAMP and FISMA.
  

Zero Trust Architecture by Design

With Saaras, validated cryptography is just the start. The platform weaves together:

• End-to-end encryption (in transit and at rest)
• Identity-based policy enforcement at every layer (using mTLS and continuous verification).
• Centralized security monitoring and compliance reporting customizable for government or enterprise use cases.
• Full multi-region and multi-cloud deployment support with consistent security policy enforcement.

Long-Term Compliance, Seamless Operations

Saaras removes complexity for security teams with:

• Dedicated architecture consulting for FIPS and FedRAMP projects.
• Predictable update schedules and rapid patch releases that maintain NIST certification integrity.
• Guidance for cryptographic key management and compliance assessments, reducing risk and expediting your ATO (Authority to Operate) process.

Conclusin

In an era of sophisticated threats and non-negotiable compliance mandates, only validated platforms like Saaras provide a strategic security investment and procurement advantage.

• Assess your cryptographic obligations under FISMA, FedRAMP, NIST SP 800-171, and related frameworks.
• Select Saaras Istio FIPS Subscription to immediately enable NIST-validated cryptographic controls, Zero Trust enforcement, and comprehensive compliance support.
• Leverage Saaras’ expert team to streamline FedRAMP, DoD, or industry audits without derailing development schedules or introducing maintenance burdens.

Start your journey to secure, future-proof federal compliance today with Saaras: FIPS 140-3 validated, cloud-native, zero trust by design.

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