Microsoft announced on Wednesday that its Windows Phone 8 operating system has received a key government security certification from the US, which would help boost its standing among US and Canadian government customers. Getting the FIPS 140-2 certificate means the government has authorized the cryptographic algorithms used by Windows Phone 8 to protect sensitive data inside its products. It is a detailed process that requires strict security compliance. All in all, Windows Phone 8 has received accreditation for nine cryptographic certificates — which is important to it considering its enterprise focus, as businesses and government sectors tend to zoom in on such security reassurances. A few of Samsung’s devices have received the FIPS 140-2 certificate as well last year, and BlackBerry earned it for the BlackBerry 10 platform back in November last year before it even launched.