PKI Environment and Hardware Security Module

The use of technology in business has increased significantly during the last decade on a global scale. The difficulties in maintaining data security have multiplied along with businesses’ reliance on digital information and electronic transactions. As the number of Internet users grows, so does cybercrime. Security systems and protecting yourself and your organization from cybercrime are more important than ever. 

Authentication and access control are at the heart of most security systems. Public key infrastructure (PKI) can greatly assist organizations in authenticating users and regulating access. When properly implemented, PKI is a powerful system that can aid in the security of your organization. So, what exactly is PKI and why is it so important? 

What is PKI? 

PKI, or public key infrastructure, is the governing body in charge of issuing digital certificates. It aids in the protection of sensitive data and provides users and systems with unique identifiers. As a result, it ensures communication security. 

To achieve security, the public key infrastructure employs a pair of keys: the public key and the private key. Because public keys are vulnerable to attack, they require a well-maintained infrastructure. 

Certificates can identify us and protect our information, but only if we can keep the private key for our certificates secret. Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) are specialized computing devices used to safeguard private keys and cryptographic operations. 

PKI is dependent on security and trust in order to protect sensitive digital information as intended. Trust requires that all cryptographic activities be carried out in a secure environment free from viruses, malware, exploits, and unwanted access. This is where the HSM comes in. 

The hardware security module (HSM) is a trusted network device that can be utilized physically or in a cloud environment, and it contains the cryptographic operations that PKI needs to remain secure. 

HSMs offer the highest level of key protection. We typically recommend using HSMs to protect PKI investments as a best practice; however, many organizations have used HSMs to comply with industry regulations, such as: 

Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) 

Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 

Read more on: How does PKI work to keep your business safe 

Purpose of Hardware Security Module: 

An HSM is intended to protect sensitive, security-relevant information from unauthorized reading or manipulation in a separate hardware area. In addition to keys, this can include signatures, transaction data, programs, identities, or authentications. The Hardware Security Module makes keys and services for encryption and decryption, signing and authentication available to other applications. 

HSMs are trusted for protecting cryptographic keys because they: 

• keep cryptographic information secure and protected. 
• Enhance encryption procedures all along the key lifetime, from key production to distribution, storage, backup, and destruction. 
• It has restricted access via a strictly controlled network interface. 
• Through certified hardware and simple audit reporting, certified hardware simplifies industry compliance and auditability of the PKI. 
• It actively hides and protects cryptographic information using tamper-resistant mechanisms. 

What are the key advantages of using HSM? 

Performance, simplicity, and safety. Your cryptographic keys are securely stored by an HSM, it also makes them conveniently available from your application and offers you high availability and performance for crypto operations. 

Read more: What are the benefits of using an HSM? 

Implementing an HSM into your security core will provide you with an additional layer of security as well as more credibility with your clients. HSMs are helpful across a wide range of businesses and provide security capabilities that other systems lack. 

Please get in touch with us to learn more about how HSMs can help your business. 

Contact Us:  

Website: www.jisasoftech.com 

Email: sales@jisasoftech.com 

Phone: +91-9619222553