Overview
A Hardware Security Module (HSM) is a physical computing device that safeguards and manages secrets (most importantly digital keys), performs Encryption and decryption functions for digital signatures, strong authentication and other cryptographic functions. These modules traditionally come in the form of a plug-in card (so called internal HSM) or an external device that attaches directly to a computer or network server (so called network HSM). A hardware security module contains one or more secure cryptoprocessor chips.