nShield F3 SCSI, nShield F3 Ultrasign SCSI and payShield
nShield F3 SCSI, nShield F3 Ultrasign SCSI and payShield, from nCipher Corporation Ltd., holds FIPS 140-1 certificate #221 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 | 221 |
|---|---|
| Standard | FIPS 140-1 |
| Status | historical |
| Overall level | 3 |
| Module type | Hardware |
| Embodiment | Multi-chip standalone |
| Vendor | nCipher Corporation Ltd. · website |
| Hardware versions | nC4032W-400 and nC4032W-150, Build standard D |
| Firmware versions | 1.77.100 |
Module description
Quoted from the NIST CMVP entry for this certificate.
The nCipher nShield "SEE Ready" range of Hardware Security Modules improves the security of cryptographic keys, security sensitive software applications and increases server throughput of secure transactions in Public Key Infrastructure and other high integrity applications such as: Certificate Authorities, Registration Authorities, Government and Financial Institutions. payShield meets the stringent security requirements of the online payments industry and speeds up cryptographic processing through its secure, tamper resistant hardware and dedicated cryptographic processors. In addition to generic cryptographic functions, payShield supports a number of payments specific protocols and functions which provide support for 3-D Secure, EMV and PIN processing.
Security level exceptions
- Roles and Services: Level 3*
- Key Management: Level 3*
- *When operated in FIPS mode
Approved algorithms (4)
| Algorithm | CAVP certificates |
|---|---|
| HMAC-SHA-1 | vendor affirmed |
| RSA | vendor affirmed |
| Triple-DES | 34 |
| Triple-DES MAC; DSA/SHA-1 |
Other algorithms
DES (Cert. #24); DES MAC; AES; ARC FOUR; CAST5; CAST6; HMAC (MD2, MD5, SHA-256, SHA-384, SHA-512 and RIPEMD160); MD2; MD5; SHA-256; SHA-384; SHA-512; RIPEMD 160; El-Gamal; Diffie-Hellman (key agreement); Blowfish; Twofish; Serpent
Validation history
| Date | Type | Lab |
|---|---|---|
| 2002-06-05 | Initial | DOMUS |
| 2002-07-22 | Update | |
| 2002-10-04 | Update | |
| 2004-01-23 | Update | |
| 2006-03-09 | Update | |
| 2006-03-15 | 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: 2002-06-05, 2002-07-22, 2002-10-04, 2004-01-23, 2006-03-09, 2006-03-15