What is FIPS 140-2 encryption and Why It Matters for Windows Containers
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If you're building apps inside Windows containers and dealing with sensitive data, compliance isn't a maybe. It's mandatory. One of the biggest requirements in the US government and regulated industries is FIPS 140-2. And if your containers or container runtime aren’t aligned with it, you're flying blind into your next audit.
Let’s cut through the noise and talk about what FIPS 140-2 actually is, why it matters for Windows Server containers, and how Mirantis Container Runtime (MCR) gives you a real path to compliance.
What is FIPS 140-2?
FIPS 140-2 is a US government standard for cryptographic modules. It validates whether the encryption you're using is production-grade. Not in theory. In practice. Every crypto module gets tested and certified by NIST. If you're using encryption to protect data in transit, data at rest, or secrets, then you're using crypto. And if you're working with the federal government, DoD, or a regulated sector like healthcare or finance, FIPS 140-2 isn’t optional.
But I'm Using Windows Containers... So I'm Good, Right?
Not necessarily.
Just because you're running your app in a Windows Server container doesn't mean you're covered. Here's where people get tripped up.
Windows Server can run in FIPS mode, yes.
But your container image may not use FIPS-compliant modules.
And your container runtime might not enforce FIPS at all.
Your app might think it's secure while running on crypto libraries that don’t pass FIPS requirements. That’s bad. Especially if your auditor knows how containers work.
Mirantis Container Runtime: FIPS-Compliant Container Runtime That Actually Covers You
This is where Mirantis Container Runtime (MCR) comes in.
MCR is a drop-in container runtime built for secure environments. It's FIPS 140-2 validated and battle-tested on Windows Server and Linux. If you're deploying to sensitive or restricted environments, MCR gives you what the default runtimes can't.
Here's what MCR does for you:
Enforces FIPS-compliant cryptographic modules inside the container runtime
Works with hardened Windows Server Core and Nano Server images
Aligns with host FIPS mode settings at runtime
Helps you pass compliance without duct-taping your container stack together
If you're using Docker CE or random open source runtimes, they won't cut it in regulated environments. MCR replaces Docker Engine and works cleanly with Kubernetes or Docker CLI, so your dev workflow doesn't change. Just your compliance status.
Secure Container Runtime
Using MCR with Windows Server containers means you're not just guessing when your security officer asks if you’re compliant.
You're running on a runtime that:
Is actually FIPS 140-2 validated
Ships with support and documentation to back it up
Works across Windows and Linux in multi-OS environments
This matters when your workload spans hybrid infrastructure or you’re dealing with government security controls like FedRAMP, CJIS, or DoD IL levels. Spoiler: they all look for FIPS validation.
TLDR
FIPS 140-2 validates the crypto modules your containers depend on
Just running Windows Server in FIPS mode isn’t enough; your container runtime has to be FIPS-compliant too
Mirantis Container Runtime (MCR) is a FIPS 140-2 validated container runtime that runs cleanly on Windows Server
If you're serious about compliance, you need a runtime that’s built for it
Get Started with FIPS-Compliant Windows Containers
If you’re deploying secure workloads on Windows Server containers and need FIPS 140-2 compliance out of the box, start with Mirantis Container Runtime.
You get a supported, hardened container runtime that just works, without jumping through compliance hoops. And no weird hacks or patchwork crypto setups to worry about.
Learn more about MCR for secure Windows containers.
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