With rising numbers of cyber threats in recent years, it has become essential for organizations to implement strict measures to protect their data.
Although there are numerous ways to protect confidential information, the Hardware security module has been gaining more attention due to its ability to provide a secure environment for data.
Hardware Security Module (HSM) is a device that performs major functions such as encryption, decryption, authentication, key exchange, and key management. They aim to offer a secure infrastructure to protect cryptographic keys and data from cyber-attacks.
Nevertheless, choosing the right Hardware Security Module for your business is a challenging task due to the number of options available in the market. But don’t worry!
This article lists all the factors you must consider when choosing the best Hardware Security Module for your business.
1. Security Requirements
The most important criterion when selecting a hardware security module is the security requirements of your business.
Here are some security features to look for:
- Tamper Resistance: Make sure that the HSM is secure from tampering or such that any tampering will be easily detected. Many HSMs are preconfigured to delete information once they discover an attempt has been made to scan or manipulate them.
- Physical Security: Ensure the devices you seek have the highest level of security, such as FIPS 140-2 Level 3 or 4, that include features like intrusion detectors.
- Key Management: Ensure the HSM provides a secure mechanism for generating, storing, and managing keys. You want the HSM to store and manage the cryptographic keys so that no one, including the HSM’s administrators, can access them.
2. Compliance and Certification
HSMs need to follow different standards based on the industry requirements for your business. Compliance affirms that HSM has laid down its benchmarks and standard security procedures that are mandatory.
Some common certifications include:
- FIPS 140-2 / FIPS 140-3: Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) sets standards for applying cryptographic modules in federal systems. Typically, FIPS 140-2 Level 3 is considered a basic standard security level for financial and other government sectors.
- PCI DSS: If your organization accepts, processes, or stores payment card data, the HSM must meet the PCI DSS to secure cryptographic keys connected to cardholder information.
- Common Criteria (CC): This international standard assists in ranking the security of IT products. It is necessary to look at the Common Criteria as it may be mandatory for a particular type of business.
3. Performance and Scalability
Performance is another crucial factor if you run a business that has a large number of transactions or if your business heavily relies on data encryption.
Here’s what to consider:
- Transaction Volume: Several HSMs are available in the market; hence, the efficiency of HSMs in terms of computational ability and number of transactions also varies. Assess the number of cryptographic operations it can perform per second, which is the HSM throughput according to the current and future requirements.
- Latency: While traditional HSMs are suitable for batch processing, low-latency HSMs are needed for applications that require speed, such as real-time payment or high-frequency trading.
- Scalability: Scalability: Your business will expand; consequently, the number of keys and cryptographic operations will also increase. Ensure that the HSM can be extended without slowing down the program or necessitating redesigning the whole system. Some HSMs are designed with clustering abilities to accommodate growing traffic.
4. Supported Algorithms and Applications
Not all HSMs support the same cryptographic algorithms or application programs. Therefore, you need to evaluate the HSM based on the types of encryptions your business uses:
- Algorithms: Ensure the HSM supports standard encryption algorithms such as RSA, ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography), AES, and SHA. Moreover, if your organization needs HSMs to support post-quantum cryptography, search for appropriate HSMs that offer such algorithms.
- Integrations: Contemplate the compatibility of the HSM with the software and hardware already in place in your organization. It is common to see organizations relying on HSMs as a solution for particular tasks like SSL/TLS encryption, code signing, or blockchain. Hence, the device should be compatible with these systems or should be able to provide APIs for connectivity.
5. Deployment Type: On-Premises vs. Cloud HSM
You’ll need to choose between an on-premises HSM or a cloud-based HSM, depending on your business infrastructure:
- On-Premises HSM: This is another piece of hardware you need to place within your data center. It gives complete control of the HSM environment with no restrictions, but the user is responsible for associated infrastructure costs, including capital expenditure and recurring expenses.
- Cloud HSM: AWS Cloud HSM, Azure Key Vault HSM, or Google Cloud HSM are cloud-based HSM services that do not require physical hardware but provide more flexibility and scalability. These services suit businesses that aim to weigh on their expenditures and get flexible solutions.
Conclusion
Selecting the right HSM for your business is an important decision that must be considered.
Security and compliance needs, performance, possible deployment scenarios, and costs should also be considered while choosing an HSM solution concerning your organization’s current functions and potential developments.
By thoroughly researching the various characteristics of HSMs, you can make a better decision that will benefit your organization regarding security and compliance.
