nShield F2 500 and nShield F2 10 PCI
nShield F2 500 and nShield F2 10 PCI, from Thales - nCipher, holds FIPS 140-2 certificate #1202 at overall level 2. 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 | 1202 |
|---|---|
| Standard | FIPS 140-2 |
| Status | historical |
| Overall level | 2 |
| Module type | Hardware |
| Embodiment | Multi-chip embedded |
| Vendor | Thales - nCipher · website |
| Hardware versions | nC3023P-500, nC3023P-10, Build Standard N |
| Firmware versions | 2.38.4-2 and 2.38.7-2 |
Module description
Quoted from the NIST CMVP entry for this certificate.
The nShield modules: nShield F2 500 & nShield F2 10 PCI family of secure e-commerce HSM's are multi-tasking hardware modules that is optimized for performing modular arithmetic on very large integers. The nCipher modules are FIPS 140-2 level 2 embedded devices. The units are identical in operation and only vary in the processing speed.
Security level exceptions
- Roles, Services, and Authentication: Level 3
- Physical Security: Level 3
- Design Assurance: Level 3
Approved algorithms (10)
| Algorithm | CAVP certificates |
|---|---|
| AES | 994, 962 |
| AES GCM | 994 |
| DSA | 341 |
| ECDSA | 121 |
| HMAC | 560 |
| RNG | 564 |
| RSA | 478 |
| SHS | 960 |
| Triple-DES | 775, 757 |
| 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 112 and 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