HSM — Hardware Security Module
Definition
A specialized cryptographic processor that securely generates, stores, and uses cryptographic keys for digital signatures, encryption, and authentication.
Context & Usage
HSMs are tamper-resistant — physical intrusion attempts trigger key destruction. Used for PKI root CA keys, code signing, payment processing, and cryptocurrency wallets. Form factors: PCIe cards (Thales, Utimaco), network appliances (Thales Luna Network HSM), USB devices (YubiHSM 2), cloud-based (AWS CloudHSM, Azure Dedicated HSM).
Examples
- Thales Luna PCIe HSM
- AWS CloudHSM (cloud-managed)
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