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]
Certificate
| Certificate number | 2149 |
|---|---|
| Standard | FIPS 140-2 |
| Status | historical |
| Overall level | 2 |
| Module type | Hardware |
| Embodiment | Multi-chip embedded |
| Vendor | nCipher Security Limited · website |
| Hardware versions | nC4033E-010 [1], nC4433E-500 [2], nC4433E-6K0 [3], nC4433E-500N [4], nC4433E-1K5N [5] and nC4433E-6K0N [6], Build Standard N |
| Firmware versions | 2.51.10-2, 2.55.1-2, and 2.55.2-2 |
Module description
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
| Algorithm | CAVP certificate |
|---|---|
| AES | 2122 |
| AES KTS | |
| CVL | 27, 90 |
| DRBG | 232 |
| DSA | 664, 777 |
| ECDSA | 181, 318 |
| HMAC | 1292 |
| RSA | 1092, 1299 |
| SHS | 1844 |
| Triple-DES | 1349 |
| Triple-DES MAC | vendor 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
| Date | Type | Lab |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-05-13 | Initial | DXC Technology |
| 2015-11-24 | Update | DXC Technology |
| 2018-08-07 | Update | DXC Technology |
| 2018-08-28 | Update | DXC Technology |
| 2020-01-29 | Update | Lightship 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