Hardware Security Module (HSM)

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Abbreviation(s) and Synonym(s):

HSM

NIST SP 1800-13C, NIST SP 1800-16B, NIST SP 1800-16C, NIST SP 1800-16D, NISTIR 8301, NISTIR 8320

Definition(s):

  A physical computing device that safeguards and manages cryptographic keys and provides cryptographic processing. An HSM is or contains a cryptographic module.
Source(s):
NIST SP 800-57 Part 2 Rev.1

  A physical computing device that provides tamper-evident and intrusion-resistant safeguarding and management of digital keys and other secrets, as well as crypto-processing. FIPS 140-2 specifies requirements for HSMs.
Source(s):
NIST SP 1800-16B
NIST SP 1800-16C

  A physical computing device that provides tamper-evident and intrusion-resistant safeguarding and management of digital keys and other secrets, as well as crypto-processing. (FIPS 140-2) specifies requirements for HSMs.
Source(s):
NIST SP 1800-16D

Glossary Comments

Comments about specific definitions should be sent to the authors of the linked Source publication. For NIST publications, an email is usually found within the document.

Comments about the glossary's presentation and functionality should be sent to secglossary@nist.gov.

See NISTIR 7298 Rev. 3 for additional details.