Announcing Draft Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2, Security Requirements for Cryptographic Modules, and Request for Comments
November 17, 1999

This notice announces Draft Federal Information Processing Standard 140-2, Security Requirements for Cryptographic Modules, for public review and comment. The draft standard, designated "Draft FIPS 140-2,'' is proposed to supersede FIPS 140-1. FIPS 140-1, first published in 1994, specified that it be reviewed within five years. In 1998, NIST solicited public comments on reaffirming the standard. The comments received by NIST supported maintaining the standard. The comments also supported updating the standard due to advances in technology. The proposed revision (Draft FIPS 140-2) is now available for public review and comment. Prior to the submission of this proposed standard to the Secretary of Commerce for review and approval, it is essential that consideration is given to the needs and views of the public, users, the information technology industry, and Federal, State and local government organizations. The purpose of this notice is to solicit such views.

Comments must be received on or before February 15, 2000.