Chainguard modified Cassandra so organizations needing FIPS-approved encryption can finally use it—without risky workarounds or costly custom fixes.
Apache Cassandr ia a powerful open-source database used by companies worldwide, but it wasn’t built with FIPS compliance in mind.
Why Is This a Big Deal?
Cassandra powers mission-critical systems for Netflix, Apple, and even the European Commission. But for industries with strict security mandates—like government contractors, healthcare providers, and financial institutions—it’s been a compliance headache.
- With Chainguard’s new FIPS-compliant version, companies can now:
- Meet federal security requirements
- Use Cassandra without modifying their own infrastructure
- Avoid compliance risks and penalties
How Did They Do It?
Chainguard didn’t just slap on a patch. They forked Cassandra’s source code and built a modular encryption system—one that allows seamless switching between standard cryptography and FIPS-approved encryption.
And they’re not stopping there—Chainguard is exploring similar upgrades for other major open-source tools like Apache Kafka and Spark, potentially bringing FIPS compliance to an even broader ecosystem.
Just FIPS It
Turns out, you can FIPS the un-FIPS-able. Chainguard just did it.
For companies working with sensitive data, this removes a major roadblock to adopting modern, scalable tech—without security trade-offs.
Read more here: https://www.chainguard.dev/unchained/fips-ing-the-un-fips-able-apache-cassandra
