The application must use a FIPS-validated cryptographic module to provision digital signatures.

FIPS 140-3 precludes the use of invalidated cryptography for the cryptographic protection of sensitive or valuable data within federal systems. Unvalidated cryptography is viewed by NIST as providing no protection to the information or data. In effect, the data would be considered unprotected plaintext. If the agency specifies that the information or data be cryptographically protected, then FIPS 140-3 is applicable. If cryptography is required, it must be validated. Cryptographic modules that have been approved for classified use may be used in lieu of modules that have been validated against the FIPS 140-3 standard.

Provisioning of digital signatures pertains to certificate authority or Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)-type applications that generate certificates (e.g., OpenSSL, code signing applications, etc.); otherwise, this requirement is considered Not Applicable.

The cryptographic module used must have at least one validated digital signature function. This validated hash algorithm must be used to generate digital signatures for all cryptographic security function within the product being evaluated.

This requirement pertains to Zero Trust.