AWS CloudHSM

Website

aws.amazon.com

Categories

#Security & Privacy #Network & Admin #Password Management #Cloud Storage

nCipher nShield General Purpose HSM

Website

entrust.com

Categories

#Network & Admin #Security & Privacy #Password Management #IT Service Management

AWS CloudHSM features and specs

• Compliance Requirements
  AWS CloudHSM is compliant with various industry standards and regulations, such as FIPS 140-2 Level 3, enabling organizations to meet specific compliance requirements with ease.
• Dedicated Hardware
  CloudHSM provides dedicated hardware Security Modules (HSMs) for enhanced security, offering physical and logical isolation from other users.
• Customer Control
  Customers retain full control over the cryptographic keys and operations within the HSM, ensuring that AWS staff cannot access or manage these keys.
• High Availability
  AWS CloudHSM can be configured for high availability, with automatic clustering and redundancy to ensure continuous operation and minimal downtime.
• Scalability
  Users can add and remove HSMs on-demand, allowing for scalable performance and capacity that aligns with their needs.
• Easy Integration
  CloudHSM integrates with various AWS services and third-party applications, allowing for seamless deployment of cryptographic operations.

Possible disadvantages of AWS CloudHSM

• Cost
  CloudHSM can be more expensive compared to other AWS managed key services, as it involves the cost of dedicated hardware and additional management overhead.
• Management Complexity
  The requirement for customer management of the HSMs introduces complexity, particularly for organizations without specialized staff or knowledge in cryptographic operations.
• Hardware Dependencies
  Being dependent on physical hardware may limit the ability to quickly adapt to certain changes compared to entirely software-based solutions.
• Region Availability
  AWS CloudHSM may not be available in all AWS regions, potentially limiting its usage for global applications that require region-specific deployments.
• Initial Setup
  The initial setup and configuration process can be intricate and time-consuming, potentially requiring specialized expertise.

nCipher nShield General Purpose HSM features and specs

• High Security
  nCipher nShield HSMs provide a high assurance level of security to protect cryptographic keys and operations, ensuring that sensitive information is well protected from unauthorized access.
• Compliance and Certification
  They are certified to meet stringent security standards such as FIPS 140-2 Level 3 and Common Criteria, which aid organizations in achieving compliance with various regulatory requirements.
• Comprehensive API Support
  nShield HSMs support a wide range of APIs including PKCS#11, Microsoft CAPI and CNG, JCE, and more, making them highly versatile and compatible with various applications.
• Scalability
  These HSMs are designed to meet the scalability needs of growing businesses, allowing expansion as demand for cryptographic operations increases.
• Enhanced Performance
  Users benefit from high-performance cryptographic operations, which help maintain system efficiency, especially under heavy loads.

Possible disadvantages of nCipher nShield General Purpose HSM

• High Cost
  The upfront and ongoing costs of purchasing and maintaining nShield HSMs can be high, which may be a concern for smaller organizations with limited budgets.
• Complex Integration
  Integrating these devices into existing IT infrastructure can be complex, requiring specialized knowledge and potential modifications to legacy systems.
• Maintenance and Management
  The requirement for ongoing management and regular maintenance might demand additional resources and skilled personnel, adding to the overall operational cost.
• Physical Space Requirement
  nShield HSMs require physical space within a secure environment, which might be a limitation for organizations with restricted data center space.
• Dependency on Hardware
  As a hardware-based solution, these HSMs create a dependency on physical devices, which might not align with organizations moving towards fully virtualized or cloud environments.

AWS re:Inforce 2019: Achieving Security Goals with AWS CloudHSM (SDD333)

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