nShield F3 Ultrasign PCI, nShield F3 Ultrasign 32 PCI, nCipher F3 PCI for NetHSM, payShield Ultra PCI, payShield Ultra PCI for NetHSM, nShield F3 PCI, payShield PCI, nShield F3 PCI and nShield lite

Certificate

Module description

The nCipher nShield 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, Services, and Authentication: Level 3
• Physical Security: Level 3
• EMI/EMC: Level 3
• Design Assurance: Level 3

Approved algorithms

Other algorithms

ARC FOUR; CAST5; CAST 6; DES (non compliant); DES MAC (non compliant); 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 112 bits to 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 112 bits to 256 bits of encryption strength; non-compliant less than 112 bits of encryption strength))

Validation history

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: 2006-05-22

Source documents

• NIST certificate page
• Security policy (PDF)