nShield F3 PCI and nShield F3 Ultrasign PCI
nShield F3 PCI and nShield F3 Ultrasign PCI, from nCipher Corporation Ltd., holds FIPS 140-1 certificate #222 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 | 222 |
|---|---|
| Standard | FIPS 140-1 |
| Status | historical |
| Overall level | 3 |
| Module type | Hardware |
| Embodiment | Multi-chip standalone |
| Vendor | nCipher Corporation Ltd. · website |
| Hardware versions | nC4032P-300 and nC4032P-150, Build standard E |
| 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.
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 | |
| 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, 2004-01-23, 2006-03-09, 2006-03-15