Achieving FIPS 140 validation is a significant investment. It requires careful planning, specialized expertise, and a long-term commitment of engineering resources. At KeyPair Consulting, we help organizations make informed decisions as they navigate the FIPS validation process. To give our customers even more options for meeting their compliance goals, we’re excited to announce our partnership with OpenSSL Corporation.
Together, KeyPair Consulting and OpenSSL Corporation are helping organizations deploy and maintain OpenSSL-based cryptographic solutions that meet FIPS 140-3 requirements. By combining OpenSSL’s cryptographic engineering expertise with KeyPair’s experience in validation and certification, we’re providing customers with a more predictable path throughout the FIPS validation lifecycle.
More Options for KeyPair Customers
In addition to helping customers validate their own cryptographic solutions—and offering the KeyPair FIPS Provider for OpenSSL 3 and KeyPair FIPS Provider Plus modules—we can now support organizations looking for an open-source cryptographic solution through OpenSSL Corporation. This gives customers another proven option for meeting their FIPS 140-3 requirements while working with a team they already know.
An Additional Path to FIPS 140-3
As part of this partnership, KeyPair will provide FIPS 140-3 testing, rebranding, and validation support for OpenSSL Corporation’s current and future FIPS Providers. We’ll also work closely with the OpenSSL engineering team to support predictable validation timelines for Long Term Support (LTS) releases.
For customers, this means access to expertise covering:
- FIPS 140-3 validation strategy
- Cryptographic module rebranding
- Operating environment additions and platform support
- Validation testing laboratory coordination
- Certification documentation
- Long-term validation planning
Instead of navigating these challenges independently, organizations will have coordinated support from the teams building and validating the technology.
Solving One of the Biggest FIPS Challenges: Entropy
One of the most misunderstood aspects of FIPS 140-3 validation is entropy. A strong entropy source design is essential for secure cryptographic operations, yet it often becomes one of the most complex parts of the validation process.
Through this collaboration, KeyPair and OpenSSL Corporation are developing flexible entropy solutions that support both software-based entropy sources and optional platform-specific hardware entropy sources within a customizable, validated entropy source provider. The goal is to help customers deploy solutions that fit their environments while simplifying one of the toughest parts of achieving compliance.
Built on an Existing Relationship
This partnership builds on years of successful collaboration. KeyPair has already supported OpenSSL Corporation’s FIPS certification efforts through engineering, documentation, and laboratory coordination. We’re now expanding our relationship to provide customers with more comprehensive services, including technical guidance, educational resources, implementation support, and practical advice for organizations deploying OpenSSL in commercial, government, and other regulated environments.
“KeyPair has been part of OpenSSL’s FIPS story since our first 140-3 submission. No single company covers everything FIPS demands: engineering, certification expertise, accredited testing. We write and support the code, KeyPair brings the certification craft, and this agreement makes that connection something customers can rely on rather than something they have to discover.”
Anton Arapov, Director, OpenSSL Corporation
Looking Ahead
OpenSSL is the world’s most widely deployed cryptographic library, and the demand for validated cryptography continues to grow as organizations strengthen security programs and prepare for evolving compliance requirements.
Our shared goal: simplify your FIPS 140 process. By working together, KeyPair and OpenSSL Corporation can provide customers with a coordinated path from planning and implementation through validation and long-term support.
We’re excited about what this partnership means for the OpenSSL community and look forward to helping organizations bring trusted, validated cryptographic solutions to market with greater speed and confidence.