If you have come across a requirement for product compliance with FIPS 140-2, Security Requirements for Cryptographic Modules, you may have wondered about FIPS and its applicability to information technology products. FIPS is the acronym for Federal Information Processing Standards. FIPS was established in the 1960s to provide uniform guidelines or specifications for processes, data interchange, and functionality within the Federal government’s early information technology departments. Currently FIPS are maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). In general, FIPS are developed and issued when there are no industry standards available for citation in requirements and/or procurement documents.