nShield 500 [1], nShield 500 for netHSM [2] and nShield Lite [3]
nShield 500 [1], nShield 500 for netHSM [2] and nShield Lite [3], from nCipher Corporation Ltd., holds FIPS 140-2 certificate #651 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 | 651 |
|---|---|
| Standard | FIPS 140-2 |
| Status | historical |
| Overall level | 3 |
| Module type | Hardware |
| Embodiment | Multi-chip embedded |
| Vendor | nCipher Corporation Ltd. · website |
| Hardware versions | nC4033P-500 [1], nC4033P-500N [2] and nC4033P-30; Build Standards M & N |
| Firmware versions | 2.22.6-3, 2.22.34-3 and 2.22.43-3 |
Module description
Quoted from the NIST CMVP entry for this certificate.
The nCipher modules: nShield 500 & nShield Lite family of secure ecommerce HSM's are multi-tasking hardware modules that is optimized for performing modular arithmetic on very large integers. The nCipher modules are FIPS 140-2 level 3 embedded devices. The units are identical in operation and only vary in the processing speed.
Approved algorithms (9)
| Algorithm | CAVP certificates |
|---|---|
| AES | 258 |
| DSA | 136 |
| ECDSA | 2 |
| HMAC | 68 |
| RNG | 91 |
| RSA | 68 |
| SHS | 333 |
| Triple-DES | 339 |
| Triple-DES MAC | vendor affirmed |
Other algorithms
ARC FOUR; CAST5; CAST 6; DES; DES MAC; MD2; MD5; SEED; HMAC (MD2, MD5, and RIPEMD160); RIPEMD 160; El-Gamal; Blowfish; Twofish; Serpent; KCDSA; HSA 160; Diffie-Hellman (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 (key agreement; key establishment methodology provides 192 bits of encryption strength); RSA (key wrapping, key establishment methodology provides between 112 and 256 bits of encryption strength; non-compliant less than 112 bits of encryption strength)
Validation history
| Date | Type | Lab |
|---|---|---|
| 2006-04-06 | Initial | DOMUS |
| 2006-06-29 | Update | |
| 2006-12-20 | Update | |
| 2008-06-24 | 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: 2006-04-06, 2006-06-29, 2006-12-20, 2008-06-24