AWS CloudHSM (Hardware Security Module) is a cloud-based hardware security service provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS). It allows customers to generate, store, and manage cryptographic keys and perform cryptographic operations in a secure and tamper-resistant hardware environment. CloudHSM is designed to help organizations meet regulatory and compliance requirements for key management and encryption. CloudHSM is the next level of protection of AWS KMS to meet contractual, and regulatory compliance.
AWS CloudHSM is a fully managed service by Amazon. An HSM refers to a hardware device that ensures secure storage of cryptographic keys and performs cryptographic operations within an impervious hardware appliance designed to resist tampering.
Features of AWS CloudHSM
Hardware Security Module (HSM):
CloudHSM uses dedicated hardware security modules to provide a secure and isolated environment for key storage and cryptographic operations. HSMs are physical devices designed to safeguard cryptographic keys and perform cryptographic operations, making them resistant to tampering and unauthorized access.
Key Management:
CloudHSM allows organizations to create and manage their cryptographic keys within the HSM. This provides a secure and centralized solution for key generation, storage, and access control.
Integration with AWS Services:
CloudHSM integrates with various AWS services, allowing customers to use the HSM to protect sensitive data, perform cryptographic operations, and meet compliance requirements. Common use cases include securing SSL/TLS certificates, database encryption, and digital signing.
Compliance and Security:
AWS CloudHSM is designed to help organizations meet regulatory compliance requirements for key management and cryptographic operations. The service provides a FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validated HSM, which is a standard for cryptographic modules.
High Availability and Redundancy:
CloudHSM offers features that are highly available and redundant. Customers can create HSM clusters in multiple Availability Zones to ensure continued access to cryptographic keys and services during hardware failures or disruptions.
Scalability:
CloudHSM allows organizations to scale their cryptographic operations by adding or removing HSMs from their clusters as needed. This provides flexibility in adapting to changing workloads and cryptographic requirements.
Secure Key Storage and Backup:
CloudHSM provides secure key storage, and it offers mechanisms for backing up and restoring keys. This helps organizations maintain access to their keys even in the event of hardware failures.
VPC Integration:
CloudHSM can be deployed within a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), allowing organizations to isolate and control network access to the HSMs. VPC integration enhances security by providing network segmentation and control.
Capacity:
A CloudHSM cluster has the capacity to store a maximum of 3,500 keys, irrespective of their type or size. It seamlessly integrates with AWS CloudTrail, ensuring that all actions associated with CloudHSM are recorded. This allows you to access a comprehensive history of all AWS API calls made to CloudHSM.
Offload SSL/TLS on web servers:
Web servers and web browsers commonly employ SSL or TLS to establish a secure connection for transferring data over the internet. To initiate an HTTPS session with each client, the web server utilizes a public-private key pair and a public key certificate. However, this activity imposes additional computational overhead on the web server.
CloudHSM offers a solution by allowing the storage of the web server’s private key in the HSM, specifically designed for this purpose. This operation, frequently referred to as SSL acceleration, helps alleviate the computational burden on the web server.
To know more about SSL/TLS offload with CloudHSM, kindly refer to the AWS article which describes the sequence of the calls.
Conclusion:
AWS CloudHSM is suitable for organizations that require a dedicated and secure hardware environment for key management and cryptographic operations. It is often used in scenarios where compliance with industry standards and regulations is critical, such as financial services, healthcare, and government sectors. Organizations interested in using CloudHSM should carefully consider their specific security and compliance requirements before integrating the service into their applications and workflows.
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