In an era of escalating digital threats, government agencies and regulated industries demand authentication solutions that meet the most stringent security standards. Yubico’s YubiKey 5 FIPS Series is currently undergoing FIPS 140-3 validation, underscoring our commitment to helping your organization maintain compliance and protect critical assets. This article outlines how key technologies within YubiKeys ensure they meet these rigorous federal requirements, ultimately strengthening your security posture.
Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-3, established by NIST, is the benchmark for validating the effectiveness of cryptographic hardware. For leaders and decision-makers, FIPS 140-3 validation provides assurance that an authentication solution has been rigorously tested by independent labs and meets the U.S. government’s highest security requirements for protecting sensitive, unclassified information. Choosing FIPS-validated solutions like the YubiKey 5 FIPS Series demonstrates a commitment to best-in-class security, essential for organizations entrusted with sensitive data. The chipset itself is certified at Physical Security Level 3, offering both tamper-evidence and tamper-resistance.
YubiKeys are robust hardware security tokens that provide phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication (MFA). The YubiKey 5 FIPS Series is designed to meet Authenticator Assurance Level 3 (AAL3) as per NIST SP800-63B guidelines—the highest level for hardware authenticators. This significantly reduces the risk of successful phishing attacks and credential theft, safeguarding your organization’s resources and reputation.
YubiKeys offer significant advantages in government and enterprise environments:
Phishing-Resistant Authentication: Protects against account takeovers.
Multi-Protocol Support: Integrates seamlessly with existing infrastructure.
Hardware-Based Security: Keys are stored securely and never leave the device.
User Convenience: No batteries or network connectivity needed, simple tap-and-go or plug-and-play.
Durability: Built to withstand challenging physical environments.
Two critical protocols, Secure Channel Protocol 11 (SCP11) and Client-to-Authenticator Protocol 2.2 (CTAP2.2), are fundamental to how YubiKeys achieve FIPS 140-3 compliance.
Secure Channel Protocol 11 (SCP11): This protocol establishes a secure, encrypted communication tunnel between a YubiKey and a host system (like a server or an NFC reader). For managers, this means that sensitive data exchanged with the YubiKey, especially over potentially vulnerable interfaces like NFC, is protected from eavesdropping and tampering. SCP11 uses modern, certificate-based cryptography, eliminating the complexities of managing pre-shared keys and allowing for scalable, trusted deployments across large organizations.
Client-to-Authenticator Protocol 2.2 (CTAP2.2): As part of the FIDO2 standard, CTAP2.2 enables secure communication between user devices (computers, mobile phones) and YubiKeys for authentication. It ensures that critical user verification methods, like PIN entry, are handled securely. For instance, the actual PIN is never transmitted in plaintext, protecting it even if the user’s computer or mobile device is compromised.
The combination of SCP11 and CTAP2.2 ensures YubiKeys operate within the strict security parameters mandated by FIPS 140-3:
Use of Approved Cryptography: Both protocols employ FIPS-approved cryptographic algorithms and secure key management practices.
Strong Authentication: They enable robust authentication mechanisms that satisfy AAL3 requirements.
Secure Communication: Data transmitted to and from the YubiKey is protected.
PIN Security: CTAP2.2 provides strong protection for PINs, including encryption during transmission and robust defenses against brute-force attacks. YubiKeys enforce FIPS-compliant PIN policies, such as a minimum 6-character length.
Secure Physical Access (NFC): When an employee uses a YubiKey to access a secure facility via an NFC reader, SCP11b creates an encrypted tunnel between the YubiKey and the reader. This protects the authentication data from being intercepted, ensuring that only authorized personnel gain entry.
Secure Cloud Access (FIDO2): For a government administrator accessing sensitive cloud resources, CTAP2.2 ensures that the FIDO2 authentication process, including PIN entry on a mobile device, is secure. Even if the mobile device is compromised, the cryptographic keys remain on the YubiKey, and the PIN is protected, preventing unauthorized access.
The YubiKey 5 Series (with 5.7 firmware) also offers expanded capacity for credentials, supporting up to 100 device-bound passkeys, enhancing usability in large-scale deployments.
Adopting FIPS 140-3 validated YubiKeys provides tangible benefits:
Meets Compliance Mandates: Essential for federal agencies and many regulated industries.
Reduces Risk: Drastically lowers the risk of phishing, account takeovers, and data breaches.
Enhances Trust: Demonstrates a commitment to the highest security standards to stakeholders and customers.
Simplifies Secure Access: Provides a user-friendly yet powerful authentication solution.
To leverage YubiKeys with SCP11 and CTAP2.2 for FIPS 140-3 compliance, consider the following:
Assess Your Current Infrastructure: Evaluate compatibility with the YubiKey 5 FIPS Series.
Develop a Deployment Strategy: Plan a phased rollout across critical systems and user groups.
Establish Secure Initialization Procedures: Ensure YubiKeys are configured by authorized crypto officers to operate in FIPS-approved mode.
Implement Strong PIN Policies: Align with organizational security and FIPS requirements.
Train Your Teams: Educate users and administrators on proper YubiKey usage and security best practices.
Monitor for Ongoing Compliance: Regularly audit authentication systems.
Organizations interested in early access to YubiKey 5 FIPS Series "release candidate" keys, while awaiting final FIPS 140-3 certification, can contact their Yubico representative or our sales team.
For more details on Yubico’s FIPS program and solutions:
Visit the YubiKey 5 FIPS Series Documentation page on the Yubico website.
Consult NIST Special Publication 800-63B Digital Identity Guidelines.
By partnering with Yubico, your organization can achieve robust FIPS 140-3 compliance, providing users with secure, convenient authentication that protects against today’s most sophisticated threats.