# Chainguard's FIPS-validated, hardened VM images: compliance without the complexity

DevFeed: [Chainguard's FIPS-validated, hardened VM images: compliance without the complexity](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/chainguard-s-fips-validated-hardened-vm-images-compliance-without-the-complexity-12987.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://www.chainguard.dev/unchained/chainguards-fips-validated-hardened-vm-images-compliance-without-the-complexity>)

Published: 2025-11-20T00:00:00Z

Content type: news

Language: en

Sources: [Chainguard: Unchained](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/chainguard-unchained.md>)

Topics: [chainguard vms](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/chainguard-vms.md>), [Security](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/security.md>), [Deployment](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/deployment.md>), [configuration](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/configuration.md>)

Tags: [announce](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/announce.md>), [benchmark](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/benchmark.md>), [chainguard](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/chainguard.md>), [chainguard-vm-images](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/chainguard-vm-images.md>), [chainguard-vms](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/chainguard-vms.md>), [compliance](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/compliance.md>), [deployment](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/deployment.md>), [fips](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/fips.md>), [fips-140-3](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/fips-140-3.md>), [fips-virtual-machine-images](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/fips-virtual-machine-images.md>), [fips-vms](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/fips-vms.md>), [secure-boot](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/secure-boot.md>), [security](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/security.md>), [stig](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/stig.md>), [stig-hardening](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/stig-hardening.md>)

## AI overview

Chainguard announces compliance capabilities for Chainguard VMs, including FIPS 140-3-validated cryptography, DISA STIG hardening, CIS Benchmark Level 1 hardening, and Secure Boot enabled by default. The updates are intended to help regulated organizations deploy secure, audit-ready VM infrastructure while reducing the engineering effort required for compliance.

## Source excerpt

Chainguard VM images are FIPS 140-3 validated, STIG-hardened, and CIS-compliant, giving regulated industries instant, secure, and audit-ready infrastructure.