Introduction

The Entrust Certificate Authority is a Public-Key Infrastructure (PKI) solution. The Entrust nShield Hardware Security Module (HSM) securely store and manage encryption keys. This document describes how to integrate both for added security of your PKI.

The HSM is available as an appliance or nShield as a service (nSaaS).

Product configuration

The integration between the HSM and Certificate Authority has been successfully tested in the following configurations:

Product Version

Entrust Certificate Authority

v10.2.0

Operating System

Windows Server 2022

PostgreSQL Database

15.2.0

Supported nShield hardware and software versions

Entrust successfully tested with several nShield hardware and software versions.

Module-protected keys are not supported in Entrust Security Manager v10.0 and later versions. OCS and softcard-protection was tested in all configurations.

nShield

Product Security World Software Firmware Netimage

nSaaS

13.3.2

12.72.1 (FIPS 140-2 certified)

12.80.5

Connect XC

13.3.2 a

12.50.11 (FIPS 140-2 certified)
12.72.1 (FIPS 140-2 certified)
13.3.1

12.80.4, 12.80.5, 13.4.3

Solo XC

13.3.2

12.72.0 (FIPS 140-2 certified)

nShield 5c

13.3.2

13.2.2

13.3.2

nShield Edge

13.3.2

12.50.8 (FIPS 140-2 certified)

Requirements

To integrate the HSM and Certificate Authority, you have to install the following software packages:

  • Security World Software

  • a directory service installed and running according to the Entrust Certificate Authority Directory Configuration Guide

  • PostgreSQL Server

  • Certificate Authority 10

Familiarize yourself with:

  • the Entrust Certificate Authority (https://www.entrust.com/digital-security)

  • the Installation Guide and User Guide for the HSM

  • your organizational certificate policy and certificate practice statement, and a security policy or procedure in place covering administration of the PKI and HSM:

    • the number and quorum of administrator cards in the administrator card set (ACS), and the policy for managing these cards

    • the number and quorum of operator cards in the operator card set (OCS), and the policy for managing these cards

    • the keys protection method: module, softcard, or OCS

    • the level of compliance for the Security World, FIPS 140 Level 3

    • key attributes such as key size, time-out, or need for auditing key usage

Entrust recommends that you allow only unprivileged connections unless you are performing administrative tasks.