What is FIPS 140-2 Level 3 HSM

Data Security Posture Management (DSPM)

Do existing DSPM and CSPM tools address the challenges of data encryption risks?What is Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM)? What is Data Security Posture Management (DSPM)? What are the key features of Data Security Posture Management (DSPM)? How important is Data Security Posture Management (DSPM)? How does Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) differ from traditional security measures? What are the benefits of implementing Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) for an organization? How does Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) help identify and remediate security vulnerabilities? What compliance standards does Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) help organizations adhere to?What emerging trends are shaping the future of Data Security Posture Management (DSPM)?How cloud Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) overcomes the challenges of securing keys?

AI Security

What is an AI/ML pipeline? What are the components of the AI/ML pipeline?How can I ensure data security and safety in an AI/ML pipeline? What are Large Language Models (LLMs)? How do Large Language Models (LLMs) work?What are the benefits of Large Language Models (LLMs)?What is the data security risks with Large Language Models (LLMs)?How do I address data security concerns with Large Language Models (LLMs)? Is Generative AI (Genai) different than Large Language Models (LLMs)?What is Generative AI (Gen AI) security? What is Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)? What is Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAGs) used for?What are the benefits of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)?Are there security risks with Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)? How can we address Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG security) vulnerabilities?What are key AI security challenges and risks? What is data poisoning? How do I prevent data poison attack? What is prompt engineering?What is a prompt injection attack? What is AI governance? Why is AI governance important? What is Large Language Models (LLM) security?

Post Quantum Cryptography

What is the quantum risk and its impact on data security?What are the implications of data sensitivity vs time?When will quantum computing pose a threat to encryption methods?Which protocols and certificates may become vulnerable in the post-quantum era?How can enterprises prepare data security strategies for the post-quantum era?Do current cloud platforms support post-quantum algorithms?What is the concept of cryptographic agility?How does cryptographic agility impact risk management for enterprises?Why is data classification important in the context of post-quantum readiness?How does crypto agility affect disaster recovery planning and insurance costs?What is the technical impact of post-quantum agility on organizations?How does Fortanix DSM help achieve cryptographic agility?What features does Fortanix DSM offer for key lifecycle management in PQC implementation?How does Fortanix DSM facilitate integration with leading applications in PQC implementation?

Tokenization

What is Tokenization?Why should I care about Tokenization? What are the various methods of tokenization? What is the advantage of Tokenization over Traditional Static or Dynamic Data Masking? What is the advantage of Tokenization over Database encryption? What is the optimal point in the data lifecycle to tokenize sensitive data?  What is Card Tokenization?How does card tokenization work?How does tokenization make online payments more secure?What is network tokenization?What is PCI DSS 4.0?How to comply with PCI DSS 4.0?When is PCI DSS 4.0 required?How Many New Controls are in PCI DSS 4.0?How many requirements in PCI DSS 4.0?What is FPE (Format Preserving Encryption)?Where is Format Preserving Encryption used? Why use FPE (Format Preserving Encryption)? Is FPE (Format Preserving Encryption) reversible?Can FPE (Format Preserving Encryption) help with HIPAA compliance?Can FPE help with PCI DSS compliance?What is the difference between vaulted and vaultless encryption in the context of Format Preserving Encryption? What type of FPE (Format Preserving Encryption) does Fortanix use

Enterprise Key Management

What is enterprise key management?Why is enterprise key management important?What are the benefits of using Enterprise Key Management for cloud data security?What are the challenges in enterprise key management?How does enterprise key management work?What are some best practices for enterprise key management?Can enterprise key management be integrated with existing systems?What are the compliance considerations for enterprise key management?Can enterprise key management recover encrypted data if a key is lost?How does enterprise key management address cloud and multi-cloud environments?Are there industry standards for enterprise key management?What are the pain points related to data security in hybrid multicloud environments ?How do encryption and key management contribute to data protection? How does Fortanix address the challenges associated with encryption key management?How does Fortanix Enterprise Key Posture Management (EKPM) provide visibility into data security risks and industry benchmarks? How does Fortanix address the challenge of reporting compliance with policies and regulations?How does Fortanix Enterprise Key Posture Management (EKPM) align with regulatory and data security policies and standards? How does Fortanix Enterprise Key Posture Management (EKPM) simplify the complex and time-consuming task of correlating and analyzing at-risk data and services? How does Fortanix Enterprise Key Posture Management (EKPM) help organizations prioritize and remediate the most harmful risks quickly? Why are manual discovery processes considered complex and time-consuming, and how does Fortanix Enterprise Key Posture Management (EKPM) simplify them? How does Fortanix Enterprise Key Posture Management (EKPM) reduce the inefficient use of security personnel?Can Fortanix Enterprise Key Posture Management (EKPM) integrate with existing security and compliance tools? Does Fortanix Enterprise Key Posture Management (EKPM) integrate with SIEM or SOAR solutions for log analytics? Can Fortanix Enterprise Key Posture Management (EKPM) integrate with third-party IT ticketing systems for remediation workflows?

What is FIPS 140-2 Level 3 HSM

(Federal Information Processing Standard) FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certified HSMs are designed to prevent physical tampering with tamper-evident seals, intrusion sensors, and self-destruct mechanisms. These devices meet the requirements of Level 3 of the FIPS 140-2 standard. They undergo rigorous testing and certification to meet the highest security standards. With Level 3 certification, organizations can rest assured that sensitive information and cryptographic keys are well-protected against physical attacks.  

FIPS standards are developed by NIST's Computer Security Division and are widely adopted in both government and non-government sectors worldwide as a security benchmark. 

FIPS 140-3 is the latest benchmark for validating the effectiveness of cryptographic hardware, and products with FIPS 140-3 certification have been formally validated by both the US and Canadian governments.   

The US Secretary of Commerce signed FIPS 140-3 on May 1, 2019, and starting from April 1, 2022, new submissions must comply with the FIPS PUB 140-3 Security Requirements for Cryptographic Modules, replacing FIPS 140-2.  

The US government uses FIPS 140-2 to verify that private sector cryptographic modules and solutions (hardware and software) meet NIST standards and adhere to the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 (FISMA).   

FIPS 140-2 has four levels. For a cryptographic module to meet the stringent requirements of Level 3 under FIPS 140-2, it must undergo rigorous testing to demonstrate compliance with all four levels of the standard.   

Security Level 1 specifies basic security requirements for a cryptographic module. No physical security mechanisms are required except for production-grade equipment.

Examples include IC cards, add-on security products, and PC encryption boards. Software cryptographic functions are allowed in a general-purpose PC. This level is suitable for low-level security applications where hardware is too expensive.  

Security Level 2 adds physical security to a Security Level 1 cryptographic module. This level requires tamper-evident coatings, seals, or pick-resistant locks. The coating or seal must be broken to attain physical access to the plaintext cryptographic keys and other critical security parameters within the module.

Role-based authentication is also required. Software cryptography is allowed in multi-user timeshared systems when used with a C2 or equivalent trusted operating system.  

Security Level 3 requires enhanced physical security to prevent intruders from accessing critical security parameters held within the module. For example, a multi-chip embedded module must be contained in a strong enclosure. The critical security parameters are zeroized if a cover is removed or a door is opened. This level also requires identity-based authentication and stronger requirements for entering and outputting critical security parameters. Software cryptography is allowed in multi-user timeshared systems when a B1 or equivalent trusted operating system is employed along with a trusted path for the entry and output of critical security parameters.  

Security Level 4 provides the highest level of security. It provides an envelope of protection around the cryptographic module. Level 4 physical security aims to detect penetration of the device from any direction, and critical security parameters should be zeroized.

This level also protects a module against compromising its security due to environmental conditions or fluctuations outside of the module's normal operating ranges for voltage and temperature. Level 4 devices are particularly useful for operation in a physically unprotected environment. 

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FIPS 140-2 Level 3 Hardware Security Module (HSM) - Datasheet

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