808bits

MiniHSM, MiniHSM for nShield Edge F2, and MiniHSM for Time Stamp Master Clock

FIPS 140-2 certificate #2642 · nCipher Security Limited · data as of 2026-10-21

MiniHSM, MiniHSM for nShield Edge F2, and MiniHSM for Time Stamp Master Clock, from nCipher Security Limited, holds FIPS 140-2 certificate #2642 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. Moved to historical list due to sunsetting. 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. The protocol TLS shall not be used when operated in FIPS mode

Certificate

Certificate number2642
StandardFIPS 140-2
Statushistorical
Overall level2
Module typeHardware
EmbodimentMulti-Chip Embedded
VendornCipher Security Limited · website
Hardware versionsnC4031Z-10, nC3021U-10, and TSMC200, Build Standard N
Firmware versions2.61.1-2 and 2.62.1-2

Module description

Quoted from the NIST CMVP entry for this certificate.

The MiniHSM, MiniHSM for nShield Edge F2 and MiniHSM for Time Stamp Master Clock are fully featured HSMs supplied in a single chip package. The MiniHSM Modules offer all the security and key management features of other nShield modules - but with reduced processing speed. The MiniHSM modules are OEM parts and will be included within other appliances or products, for example switches or routers. The MiniHSM modules have a real time clock which also makes them suitable for use as a time-stamping engine.

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 (12)

AlgorithmCAVP certificates
AES3419
CVL515
DRBG824
DSA963
ECDSA686
HMAC2177
KBKDF57
KTS
RSA1751
SHS2825
Triple-DES1930
Triple-DES MACvendor affirmed

Other algorithms

ARC4; Aria; Camellia; CAST-256; DES; Diffie-Hellman (CVL Cert. #515, 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 Cert. #515, 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); El-Gamal; HAS-160; HMAC-MD5; HMAC-RIPEMD160; HMAC-Tiger; KCDSA; MD5; NDRNG; RIPEMD-160; RSA (encrypt/decrypt); RSA (key wrapping; key establishment methodology provides between 112 and 256 bits of encryption strength; non-compliant less than 112 bits of encryption strength); SEED; Tiger; TLS KDF (non-compliant); Triple-DES (key wrapping; non-compliant)

Tested configurations

  • N/A

Validation history

DateTypeLab
2016-05-13InitialDXC Technology
2018-07-24UpdateDXC Technology
2019-06-03UpdateDXC Technology

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: 2016-05-13, 2018-07-24, 2019-06-03

Source documents