808bits

nShield F3 10+ [1], nShield F3 500+ [2], nShield F3 6000+ [3], nShield F3 500+ for nShield Connect+ [4], nShield F3 1500+ for nShield Connect+ [5] and nShield F3 6000+ for nShield Connect+ [6]

FIPS 140-2 certificate #2149 · nCipher Security Limited · data as of 2026-09-08

nShield F3 10+ [1], nShield F3 500+ [2], nShield F3 6000+ [3], nShield F3 500+ for nShield Connect+ [4], nShield F3 1500+ for nShield Connect+ [5] and nShield F3 6000+ for nShield Connect+ [6], from nCipher Security Limited, holds FIPS 140-2 certificate #2149 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.

Historical. 186-2 transition. Federal agencies may reference historical validations for existing systems only, not for new procurement.
Caveat: When operated in FIPS mode and initialized to Overall Level 2 per Security Policy

Certificate

Certificate number2149
StandardFIPS 140-2
Statushistorical
Overall level2
Module typeHardware
EmbodimentMulti-chip embedded
VendornCipher Security Limited · website
Hardware versionsnC4033E-010 [1], nC4433E-500 [2], nC4433E-6K0 [3], nC4433E-500N [4], nC4433E-1K5N [5] and nC4433E-6K0N [6], Build Standard N
Firmware versions2.51.10-2, 2.55.1-2, and 2.55.2-2

Module description

Quoted from the NIST CMVP entry for this certificate.

The nShield modules: nShield F3 10+, nShield F3 500+, nShield F3 6000+, nShield F3 500+ for nShield Connect+, nShield F3 1500+ for nShield Connect+ and nShield F3 6000+ for nShield Connect+ family of secure e-commerce HSMs are multi-tasking hardware modules that are optimized for performing modular arithmetic on very large integers. The nShield 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
  • EMI/EMC: Level 3
  • Design Assurance: Level 3
  • Mitigation of Other Attacks: N/A

Approved algorithms (11)

AlgorithmCAVP certificates
AES2122
AES KTS
CVL27, 90
DRBG232
DSA664, 777
ECDSA181, 318
HMAC1292
RSA1092, 1299
SHS1844
Triple-DES1349
Triple-DES MACvendor affirmed

Other algorithms

ARC4; Aria; Camellia; CAST-6; DES; MD5; SEED; HMAC-MD5; HMAC-Tiger; HMAC-RIPEMD160; RIPEMD-160; Tiger; El-Gamal; KCDSA; HAS-160; Triple-DES (key wrapping; non-compliant); RSA (key wrapping; key establishment methodology provides between 112 and 256 bits of encryption strength; non-compliant less than 112 bits of encryption strength); Diffie-Hellman (CVL Certs. #27 and #90, 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 (CVL Certs. #27 and #90, key agreement; 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)

Validation history

DateTypeLab
2014-05-13InitialDXC Technology
2015-11-24UpdateDXC Technology
2018-08-07UpdateDXC Technology
2018-08-28UpdateDXC Technology
2020-01-29UpdateLightship Security, Inc.

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: 2014-05-13, 2015-11-24, 2018-08-07, 2018-08-28, 2020-01-29

Source documents