In this post, I’ll cover a very important topic in mobile app security: FIPS 140-2 Encryption. This post is part of a multi-part blog series about mobile data encryption. Data encryption is one of the most important ways to protect mobile app data from unauthorized access or data theft. And FIPS 140-2 carries a very specialized set of requirements how data is encrypted in mobile applications used by certain parts of the US Federal government or any contractors or organizations who sell to or work with the federal government or classified data.
Mobile data-at-rest encryption
I’ve talked about the need for mobile data-at-rest encryption for mobile apps before.
But for now, I want to focus on data at rest encryption implemented with FIPS. This may be an important issue for you, if like many mobile app developers, you are being tasked with demonstrating that your app is indeed compliant with FIPS as outlined in the NIST standards for data at rest encryption.
What is FIPS 140-2 Encryption?
FIPS or the Federal Information Processing Standards are public standards built by the US federal government. FIPS standards cover a wide range of requirements across security and interoperability. More specifically, FIPS 140 is focused on specific requirements for cryptography modules. The current version of this standard is FIPS 140-2. You’ll hear people in the security industry refer to FIPS as: FIPS, 140, FIPS 140 and FIPS 140-2. Most of the time these are all in reference to FIPS 140-2. Because many public and private sector organizations require that FIPS-compliant cryptography modules be used, Appdome enables organizations to secure mobile apps so that they use FIPS 140-2 cryptographic modules. This allows organizations to immediately make any mobile application FIPS 140-2 compliant in a manner of minutes – all without any development effort. More on that later.
NIST Encryption Requirements for Mobile Apps
FIPS 140-2 compliance for mobile apps applies to multiple solutions involving mobile apps. As it relates to data at rest encryption, FIPS 140-2 cryptographic modules are often mandated by federal and civilian government entities for any mobile app handling sensitive data. Many government agencies, including NIST, require that all data encryption uses cryptographic algorithms and modules that have undergone FIPS-140-2 certification. The NIST requirements apply to both data-at-rest and data-in-transit.
How Appdome Enables Developers to Implement FIPS 140-2 in Any Mobile App
When securing an app with Appdome you may decide to select data at rest encryption for one of your security options. Under the data at rest encryption section, you can optionally select FIPS 140-2 encryption modules if required for your app. When you click BuildMyApp, FIPS-approved encryption modules will automatically be added to your app – everywhere in the app where encryption is used.
In addition to applying data at rest encryption to the app, which is always a best practice, you can now also demonstrate that your app is indeed compliant with these NIST standards as they relate to data at rest encryption and that your app is leveraging FIPS 140-2 cryptographic Modules.
To understand the value of no-code mobile security, look no further than the U.S. Navy, who turned to Appdome to secure their MyNavyPortal mobile app by adding FIPS 140-2 cryptographic modules. Read the direct quote below from the senior U.S. Navy Program Manager in charge of the app delivery to understand how important encryption of sensitive data is in mobile apps, and also to underscore just how critical Appdome is in helping mobile developers achieve secure outcomes immediately in a standardized and repeatable manner – all without coding.
As with every disruptive technology, seeing is believing. To that effect, check out this video showing how any developer or non-developer can build FIPS 140-2 encryption into any iOS or Android app.
If you want to learn more about no-code data mobile data encryption, check out these other posts or articles:
- Mobile Data Encryption, the DevSecOps Way
- Mobile Data Encryption on Appdome: Easy and Unique
- Mobile App Encryption Made Easy
- Data in Use Encryption in Mobile Apps
If you’d like to see Appdome in action, feel free to Request a Demo by clicking below.
