FIPS-validated hardware security module with PCI Express interface

The Thales nShield for PCI Express, part of the nCipher product line, has been certified to Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 level 3. nShield for PCI Express is the first multi-platform hardware security module for PCI Express and offers organisations hardware-based cryptographic protection within next generation server platforms.

The use of hardware security devices is a firmly established best practice for protecting cryptographic keys, with HSMs overcoming many of the inherent security weaknesses of implementing encryption and key management on general-purpose servers. FIPS 140-2, a standard defined by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is the most widely adopted security benchmark for cryptographic solutions in government and commercial enterprises.

Applications requiring FIPS-compliant key protection through hardware security devices include Public Key Infrastructures for Identity Management systems and database encryption projects based on Oracle 11g Advanced Security’s Transparent Database Encryption (TDE).

nShield provides processing speeds for 2,048-bit and 4,096-bit RSA keys. The low-profile, single lane PCI Express module fits into any PCI Express slot. nShield is currently the only FIPS-validated, multi-platform hardware security module with a PCI Express interface.