nShield F3 4000, nShield F3 2000, nShield F3 2000 for NetHSM, nShield F3 500 and nShield F3 500 for NetHSM
nShield F3 4000, nShield F3 2000, nShield F3 2000 for NetHSM, nShield F3 500 and nShield F3 500 for NetHSM, from Thales - nCipher, holds FIPS 140-2 certificate #1195 at overall level 3. The validation is historical: agencies may keep the module in existing systems but not buy it new. Below are its validation history, algorithm certificates and security policy, drawn from the NIST CMVP entry.
Certificate
| Certificate number | 1195 |
|---|---|
| Standard | FIPS 140-2 |
| Status | historical |
| Overall level | 3 |
| Module type | Hardware |
| Embodiment | Multi-chip embedded |
| Vendor | Thales - nCipher · website |
| Hardware versions | nC4033P-4K0, nC4033P-2K0, nC4033P-2K0N, nC4133P-500 and nC4133P-500N, Build Standard N |
| Firmware versions | 2.38.4-3 and 2.38.7-3 |
Module description
Quoted from the NIST CMVP entry for this certificate.
The nShield modules: nCipher 4000, nShield 2000, nShield 2000 for NetHSM, nShield 500, and nShield 500 for NetHSM family of secure e-commerce HSM's are multi-tasking hardware modules that is optimized for performing modular arithmetic on very large integers. The nShield modules are FIPS 140-2 level 3 embedded devices. The units are identical in operation and only vary in the processing speed.
Security level exceptions
- Physical Security: Level 3 + EFP/EFT
Approved algorithms (10)
| Algorithm | CAVP certificates |
|---|---|
| AES | 994 |
| AES GCM | 994 |
| DSA | 341 |
| ECDSA | 121 |
| HMAC | 560 |
| RNG | 564 |
| RSA | 478 |
| SHS | 960 |
| Triple-DES | 775, 132 |
| Triple-DES MAC | vendor affirmed |
Other algorithms
ARC FOUR; Aria; Camellia; CAST 6; DES; MD5; SEED; HMAC-MD5, HMAC-Tiger, HMAC-RIPEMD160; RIPEMD 160; Tiger; El-Gamal; KCDSA; HAS 160; AES (Cert. #994, key wrapping; key establishment methodology provides between 128 and 256 bits of encryption strength); Diffie-Hellman (key agreement; key establishment methodology provides between 112and 256 bits of encryption strength; non-compliant less than 112 bits of encryption strength); EC Diffie-Hellman (key agreement; key establishment methodology provides 192 bits of encryption strength); RSA (key wrapping; key establishment methodology provides between 112 and 256 bits of encryption strength; non-compliant less than 112 bits of encryption strength), ECMQV (key agreement; key establishment methodology provides between 112 and 256 bits of encryption strength; non-compliant less than 112 bits of encryption strength); NDRNG; DSA (FIPS 186-3; non-compliant); ECDSA (FIPS 186-3; non-compliant)
Validation history
| Date | Type | Lab |
|---|---|---|
| 2009-10-06 | Initial | DOMUS |
| 2010-02-17 | Update |
Status timeline
As observed by this tracker's snapshots. NIST publishes no dates for list moves; observation began 2026-08-21, so earlier changes carry no date.
- 2026-08-21: first observed by this tracker, status historical
- Validation dates on record: 2009-10-06, 2010-02-17