TuxCare Adds Support for AlmaLinux FIPS Kernels to KernelCare

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FedRAMP-authorized systems are expected to maintain high availability, especially at the Moderate and High baselines, where downtime can impact national security or public services.
FedRAMP’s updated policy prioritizes faster vulnerability patching, guiding agencies to apply security fixes promptly – even if that means temporarily deviating from FIPS validation.
KernelCare now supports rebootless live patching for AlmaLinux FIPS kernels, enabling secure, compliant updates without downtime or service disruption.

Organizations operating under the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) face a unique challenge: maintaining stringent security postures while meeting high system uptime requirements. TuxCare’s latest development – KernelCare rebootless patching support for AlmaLinux FIPS kernels – delivers exactly what these environments need: rapid, seamless security updates without sacrificing availability or adherence to FedRAMP guidance.

High Availability Expectations under FedRAMP Compliance

FedRAMP doesn’t define a specific numerical uptime target – but high availability is a foundational expectation, especially at the Moderate and High baselines. These baselines refer to the impact levels defined by FedRAMP, based on the potential consequences of a security breach:

The Moderate baseline applies to systems where the loss of confidentiality, integrity, or availability would have a profound adverse effect on agency operations or assets.
The High baseline is for systems where such a loss could have a severe or catastrophic effect – including threats to national security, critical infrastructure, or public safety.

In both cases, system uptime is mission critical. Disruptions aren’t just inconvenient – they can jeopardize essential government services or national interests. That’s why resilience, redundancy, and rapid patching are crucial pillars of any system operating in a FedRAMP-authorized environment.

However, because FedRAMP mandates the use of FIPS 140-validated cryptographic modules, patching those modules was previously seen as a potential compliance risk, as it could affect the validated status of cryptographic components and, by extension, a system’s FedRAMP authorization.

FedRAMP’s Policy Shifts Focus toward Real-World Risk and Timely Patching

FedRAMP’s updated Policy for Cryptographic Module Selection and Use (Rev. 5) reinforces a shift in federal cybersecurity priorities: timely, proactive patching now takes precedence over strict adherence to 100% FIPS validation at all times.

The policy clearly states that federal agencies and cloud service providers (CSPs) are expected to apply security fixes promptly, even if that means using cryptographic modules that are still undergoing validation.

This update reflects the real-world challenges of operating secure systems in an environment where threats evolve rapidly. Delays in patching – often caused by compliance bottlenecks – can introduce unacceptable risk. By providing flexibility to patch first and validate appropriately, FedRAMP is aligning compliance practices with modern cybersecurity realities.

TuxCare’s extension of KernelCare to support AlmaLinux FIPS kernels directly responds to this policy shift – helping organizations stay secure and operational while remaining aligned with FedRAMP’s intent.

Key Benefits of KernelCare’s Latest Update

Rebootless Patching

With KernelCare’s in-memory patching engine, critical security updates are applied with zero downtime and no need for reboots. Services continue uninterrupted – fulfilling uptime expectations for federal systems.

Rapid Security Fixes that Minimize Exposure

KernelCare delivers vetted security updates rapidly, significantly reducing the window of exposure. This rapid response aligns with FedRAMP’s updated guidance that prioritizes timely patching and proactive security measures over rigid compliance alone.

Compliance-Ready Reporting

KernelCare integrates with logging and compliance tools to provide clear visibility into patch activity, making it easier to meet FedRAMP’s continuous monitoring and documentation requirements.

Final Thought

FedRAMP’s evolving policy reflects what forward-leaning security teams have long understood: delayed patching introduces greater risk than temporary deviations from strict validation. TuxCare bridges that gap by offering the flexibility to patch without pause – on a secure, standards-compliant foundation.

TuxCare’s KernelCare support for AlmaLinux FIPS kernels empowers federal teams and their partners to meet modern security demands head-on. With rebootless patching now available in these environments, FedRAMP-regulated systems can stay online, secure, and FIPS 140-2 compliant – all at once.

Start your free trial of KernelCare today and keep your AlmaLinux FIPS systems protected – without sacrificing uptime or compliance.

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