UK-based nCipher Security, an Entrust Datacard company, has announced nShield, a cloud-based hardware security module (HSM) service that allows organisations to protect sensitive data and applications and helps meet compliance mandates – simply and efficiently, using on-demand cryptography.

Peter Galvin, vice president of strategy, nCipher Security, said: “Organisations embracing cloud-first strategies require cloud-first encryption.”

“This means remote, automated management at scale, and flexible access control both in the cloud and onsite. nShield as a Service makes it easy to adopt a secure, multi-cloud encryption strategy using the same nShield HSMs organizations deploy onsite today,” he said.

The nShield as a service is ideal for cloud-first strategies, selective cloud migration, or adding HSM capacity to handle workload spikes. The customer experience is consistent and familiar – users interact with the cloud-based nShield HSMs in the same way as with nShield appliances in their own data centres.

And customers utilising nCipher’s unique secure execution environment to run sensitive application code within a secure FIPS-validated boundary now have that same opportunity using cloud-based as well as on premises HSMs.

Using nShield as a service, customers can:
• Implement Bring Your Own Key and Host Your Own Key solutions with a trusted third party service;
• Maintain full control over key material and maintain separation of data from the encryption keys;
• Extend cloud-based cryptography and key management across multiple clouds;
• Implement secure code execution for cloud-based workloads;
• Integrate with third party applications in the cloud.

Galvin said: “The nShield as a service launch highlights the synergies we’ve gained since becoming an Entrust Datacard company in June.”

“We were able to accelerate and enhance nShield as a Service by combining our HSM and cryptography expertise with Entrust Datacard’s experience in data centres, cloud services and HSM operations. The result is a powerful HSM as a service solution that complements the company’s cloud-based PKI and IoT security solutions,” he added.

Hamid Qureshi, territory sales manager EMEA and Middle East at nCipher Security, said: “Here in the Middle East we’re experiencing unprecedented digital transformation, especially when it comes to implementation of cloud technologies.”

“The beauty of nShield as a Service is that it will allow enterprises across the region to embed an encryption framework in their organisation that’s efficient, flexible and cost-effective, whether their focus is on a cloud-only or a hybrid approach,” he added.

“Encryption is a powerful tool,” said Robert Westervelt, research director, Security Products, IDC. “Delivering it easily across distributed infrastructure can be very effective in protecting data and applications against cyberattacks. Solutions such nShield as a Service allow even the largest organizations to secure their public cloud workloads with all the conveniences of software-as-a-service offerings. Now, there are no excuses for not using encryption in the cloud.”


The nShield as a service uses nShield HSMs to generate, access and protect cryptographic key material separately from sensitive data. All nShield HSMs are managed through nCipher’s unique Security World key management architecture that spans cloud-based and on premises HSMs.

This lets customers efficiently scale HSM operations while retaining control of their key material, even if they change their cloud service provider.

Organisations can utilise nShield as a service to supplement or replace on premises HSMs, while keeping the benefits of HSM ownership. The subscription model lets enterprises budget predictably, manage capacity, reduce data centre footprint and decrease time spent on routine maintenance and monitoring.

Customers seeking cloud-first solutions can work with market-leading cybersecurity vendors in nCipher’s nFinity strategic technology partner program. Applications include SSL, code signing and database encryption and more. 

Customers seeking cloud-first solutions can work with market-leading cybersecurity vendors in nCipher’s nFinity Strategic Technology Partner program, including F5, IBM, Micro Focus Voltage and Venafi (see quote sheet below). Applications include SSL/TLS, code signing, data and database encryption and more. – TradeArabia News Service