BlackBerry® Cryptographic Kernel
BlackBerry® Cryptographic Kernel, from Research In Motion Ltd., holds FIPS 140-2 certificate #500 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.
Caveat: None
Certificate
| Certificate number | 500 |
|---|---|
| Standard | FIPS 140-2 |
| Status | historical |
| Overall level | 1 |
| Module type | Firmware |
| Embodiment | Multi-chip standalone |
| Vendor | Research In Motion Ltd. · website |
| Firmware versions | 3.8.0.18[1], 3.8.0.20[1], 3.8.0.23[1], 3.8.0.23b [1,2], 3.8.0.24[1], 3.8.0.24b[1,2], 3.8.0.26[1], 3.8.0.26b[1,2], 3.8.0.27[1] and 3.8.0.27b[1,2] |
Module description
Quoted from the NIST CMVP entry for this certificate.
BlackBerry® is the leading wireless enterprise solution that allows users to stay connected with secure, wireless access to email, corporate data, phone, web and organizer features. BlackBerry® is a totally integrated package that includes hardware, software and service, providing a complete end-toend solution. The BlackBerry® Cryptographic Kernel is the software module that provides the basic cryptographic functionality for the BlackBerry®.
Security level exceptions
- Design Assurance: Level 3
- Tested: BlackBerry® 7230 with BlackBerry OS® Versions 3.8[1], 4.0[1] and 4.1[2]
Approved algorithms (6)
Other algorithms
EC Diffie-Hellman (key agreement); ECMQV (key agreement)
Validation history
| Date | Type | Lab |
|---|---|---|
| 2005-01-18 | Initial | DOMUS |
| 2005-01-31 | Update | |
| 2005-03-11 | Update | |
| 2005-06-30 | Update | |
| 2005-08-24 | Update | |
| 2005-09-09 | Update | |
| 2005-10-07 | 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: 2005-01-18, 2005-01-31, 2005-03-11, 2005-06-30, 2005-08-24, 2005-09-09, 2005-10-07