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IBM® z/OS® Version 2 Release 3 ICSF PKCS #11 Cryptographic Module

FIPS 140-2 certificate #3555 · IBM Corporation · data as of 2026-10-21

IBM® z/OS® Version 2 Release 3 ICSF PKCS #11 Cryptographic Module, from IBM Corporation, holds FIPS 140-2 certificate #3555 at overall level 1. 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. SP 800-56Arev3 transition. Federal agencies may reference historical validations for existing systems only, not for new procurement.
Caveat: When operated in FIPS mode with module IBM(R) z/OS(R) Version 2 Release 3 Security Server RACF(R) Signature Verification Module validated to FIPS 140-2 under Cert. #2691 operating in FIPS mode

Certificate

Certificate number3555
StandardFIPS 140-2
Statushistorical
Overall level1
Module typeSoftware-Hybrid
EmbodimentMulti-Chip Stand Alone
VendorIBM Corporation · website
Software versionsHCR77C0 with APAR OA56129
Hardware versionsCOP chips integrated within processor unit [1], COP chips integrated within processor unit and P/N 00LV498 [2] and COP chips integrated within processor unit and P/N 01PP167 [3]
Firmware versionsFeature 3863 (aka FC3863) with System Driver Level 32L [1], Feature 3863 (aka FC3863) with System Driver Level 32L and CCA 5.3.20z [2] and Feature 3863 (aka FC3863) with System Driver Level 32L and CCA 6.0.8z [3]

Module description

Quoted from the NIST CMVP entry for this certificate.

ICSF is a software element of z/OS that works with hardware cryptographic features and the Security Server (RACF) to provide secure, high-speed cryptographic services in the z/OS environment. ICSF, which runs as a started task, provides the application programming interfaces by which applications request the cryptographic services.

Security level exceptions

  • Mitigation of Other Attacks: N/A

Approved algorithms (11)

AlgorithmCAVP certificates
AESC79, C424
CKGvendor affirmed
CVLC424, C507, C508
DRBGC424, C436
DSAC424
ECDSAC424
HMACC424
KTS
RSAC219, C424, C507, C508
SHSC79, C424
Triple-DESC79

Allowed algorithms

AES (Cert. #C424, key unwrapping; key establishment methodology provides between 128 and 256 bits of encryption strength); HMAC-MD5; NDRNG; RSA (key wrapping; key establishment methodology provides between 112 and 150 bits of encryption strength); Triple-DES (Cert. #C79, key unwrapping; key establishment methodology provides 112 bits of encryption strength)

Tested configurations

  • IBM z/OS Version 2 Release 3 running on an IBM z14 with CP Assist for Cryptographic Functions [1]
  • IBM z/OS Version 2 Release 3 running on an IBM z14 with CP Assist for Cryptographic Functions with CEX5A [2]
  • IBM z/OS Version 2 Release 3 running on an IBM z14 with CP Assist for Cryptographic Functions with CEX6A [3] (single-user mode)

Validation history

DateTypeLab
2019-10-23Initialatsec information security corporation

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: 2019-10-23

Source documents