Cryptographic Security Evolution: Bouncy Castle Crypto API Attains FIPS 140-3 Certification

Engineers and product owners in search of FIPS-certified cryptographic libraries or those already immersed in the Bouncy Castle Crypto API, we come bearing promising news. After thirty (30) months, the Bouncy Castle Java APIs have achieved the coveted FIPS 140-3 certification. In this journey, we find ourselves amongst the early cryptographic modules to secure this certification. This pivotal achievement heralds a significant transition for our valued Bouncy Castle users, offering a smooth passage from FIPS 140-2 to the upgraded security of FIPS 140-3.

FIPS 140-3 Certification and Transition Considerations

FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standard) 140-3 is the latest benchmark for assessing the effectiveness of cryptographic modules and hardware. A FIPS 140-3 certificate indicates rigorous testing and formal validation by the U.S. and Canadian Governments. This revised standard took effect on September 22, 2019, ushering in a meticulous validation process beginning in September 2020. It addresses various vulnerabilities and threats, providing a comprehensive framework from initial design to operational deployment.

Worth noting is that as of April 1, 2021, the Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP) ceased to accept new FIPS 140-2 submissions for validation certificates. While FIPS 140-2 modules retain their functionality until September 21, 2026, they are destined to find their place on the Historical List. Customers can procure from the Historical List and exclusively employ FIPS 140-2 modules for their existing applications in a spirit of continuity.

Navigating the Transition: Moving from standard or FIPS 140-2 to FIPS 140-3 with Bouncy Castle

For Bouncy Castle users, the shift from FIPS 140-2 or our standard Bouncy Castle versions to FIPS 140-3 extends a hand of change. There are four things to be aware of during the update process:

• Make sure your application has moved to the fips-2.0.* jars for everything. This release is not designed to be used with the fips-1.0.* jars or the regular BC APIs. There is now a bcutil jar included in this release which also needs to be included. The bcutil jar has allowed us to move a lot of “non-FIPS” related code out of the FIPS jar so it can be updated without the need for recertification.
• The 2.0.0 release cannot be used in FIPS mode with the SunJSSE provider (this is partly as some support has been removed and also that the SunJSSE no longer supports a FIPS mode).
• In line with the transition for PKCS1.5 encryption and Triple-DES ending this year, the 2.0.0 release blocks access to this functionality in approved mode (overrides are available which can be used in the interim). The provider will also block the use of SHA-1 for signature generation in FIPS approved mode and MD5 is now disabled by default (system properties are available for re-enabling this if allowed).
•  While the release is, for the most part, API compatible with the 1.0.2 series of the BCFIPS provider, it is not binary compatible and users of the FipsAES class may need to make some minor changes as there were some small changes to the Parameters class in order to support Format Preserving Encryption.

With Keyfactor support services, you can get early access to the Bouncy Castle FIPS-certified APIs, including pre-certified FIPS modules. Read more about our support services here.

Expanding Cryptographic Possibilities with Bouncy Castle's FIPS 140-3 edition

In sum, the Bouncy Castle Crypto API, now bestowed with FIPS 140-3 certification, broadens the horizons of secure cryptographic functionalities. Whether you are a longstanding user embarking on this transformation or a newcomer eager to explore the potential of the Bouncy Castle API, these developments extend an opportunity for fortified cryptographic assurance.
For an in-depth understanding of FIPS certifications, we encourage you to delve into the details available at NIST, where you can make informed decisions aligned with your cryptographic aspirations.

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