- Tamper-responding hardware design is certified under FIPS PUB 140-2. Suitable for high-security processing and cryptographic operations.
- Hardware to perform DES, random number generation, and modular math functions for RSA and similar public-key cryptographic algorithms.
- Secure code loading that enables updating of the functionality while installed in application systems.
- IBM Common Cryptographic Architecture (CCA) as well as custom software options.
- The IBM 4764 provides a secure platform on which developers can build secure applications.
FIPS PUB 140-2 Certified Electronics and Cryptographic Algorithms
The rigorous FIPS PUB 140-2 Security Requirements for Cryptographic Modules is the benchmark standard by which cryptographic implementations are measured. The evaluations cover the encapsulated processing subsystem and its specialized cryptographic hardware, code loading, tamper detection and response mechanisms, and the cryptographic algorithms: DES, triple-DES, RSA, DSS, and SHA-1.
The IBM PCI-X Cryptographic Coprocessor has been certified by NIST for IBM System x, IBM System p, IBM System i, and IBM System z.
Coprocessor Models and Features
The IBM 4764 Model 001 operates on a 3.3-volt PCI-X bus and has two batteries to power the tamper-sensing electronics when no system power is supplied.
Cryptographic Software Support Options
IBM supplies support program code for the IBM CCA cryptographic implementation.
IBM Common Cryptographic Architecture (CCA) provides extensive support of DES and RSA based processes including many functions of special interest in the finance industry. You can extend the CCA implementation through custom programming described below.
Standard capabilities include PIN processing, Secure Electronic Transaction™ services, data encryption and hashing techniques, and RSA-based public-key cryptography.
The CCA Support Program supports the IBM 4764 PCI-X Cryptographic Coprocessor installed on a ServerProven System x server on the following operating systems:
- SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 by Novell (32-bit)
- SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 by Novell (32-bit) on Release 3.30.04 or later
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.2, Server Edition (32-bit) on Release 3.30.05 or later
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit).
- Operating systems also supported under the appropriate feature code are IBM AIX on System p (32-bit), IBM i5/OS on System i, and Linux on IBM System z9.
Note that the ICSF component of z/OS and OS/390 provides support comparable to Release 3.x on the IBM System p, IBM System i and IBM System z servers.
The United States Bureau of Export Administration classifies both Support Programs and the coprocessors as 'Retail Cryptographic Implementations'. Thus, IBM can export these hardware and software products to essentially all customers. (Export restrictions remain in effect for a certain few countries and organizations.)
Custom Programming
Minting of electronic money and electronic postage are examples of critical functions that must run in a highly trustworthy environment. Using toolkits available from IBM under custom contract, you can implement your own applications for the coprocessor, or extend IBM's CCA application. You can make a fast start on your custom application development when you extend CCA using its flexible access-control system and many existing services.
IBM will issue you a unique identifier and certify your code-signing key so that you can sign your own custom coprocessor software. You develop your software using conventional IBM or Microsoft C-language compilers and use the toolkit-provided debugging programs. You or your customers can then load coprocessor software in a normal server environment. Using the PKI-based outbound authentication capabilities of the coprocessor's control program, you can securely administer the coprocessor environment, even from remote locations. Auditors can inspect the coprocessor's digitally signed status response to confirm that the coprocessor remains untampered and running uniquely identified software.
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