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Security and Handling Issues - Luna HSM

This section chapter discusses general security and handling issues related to the Luna  HSM and its host computer.

Physical Security of the Cryptographic Module

The Luna cryptographic module is a multi-chip standalone module as defined by FIPS PUB 140–2 section 4.5. The module is enclosed in a strong enclosure that provides tamper-evidence. Any tampering that might compromise the module’s security is detectable by visual inspection of the physical integrity of the module. In addition, any attempts to physically tamper with the token would likely result in the destruction of its circuitry and components, thus ensuring that your keys and sensitive objects are safe from an attacker.

The module’s physical design also resists visual inspection of the device design, physical probing of the device and attempts to access sensitive data on individual components of the device.

If an attacker with unlimited resources were to simply steal a Luna HSM, and apply the resources of a well-equipped engineering lab, it might be possible to breach its physical security. However, without the Password (password authenticated module) or the PED Keys (PED-authenticated module), such an attacker would be unable to decipher any signal or data that they managed to extract.

It is your responsibility to ensure the physical security of the module to prevent such theft, and it is your responsibility to enforce procedural security to prevent an attacker ever having possession of (or unsupervised access to) both the cryptographic module and its authentication secrets.

It is your responsibility to ensure the physical security (access) of passwords or PED Keys, and to ensure that personnel who might need to input passwords do not allow themselves to be watched while doing so, and that they do not use a computer or terminal with keystroke logging software installed.

Intended Installation Environment

The following assumptions are made about the environment in which the Luna cryptographic modules will be located and installed:

Those responsible for the Luna HSM must ensure that the authentication data for each Luna HSM account is held securely and not disclosed to persons not authorized to use that account.

Those responsible for the Luna HSM must ensure that it is installed, managed, and operated in a manner that is consistent with the local security policy.

The host IT environment must be configured and checked to ensure that any applications installed in the host environment, that require access to the HSM are legitimate, are valid and have been vetted for authenticity and integrity (i.e., have not been modified for malicious purposes).

Those responsible for the Luna HSM must ensure that it is installed and operated in an environment that is protected from unauthorized physical access.

Those responsible for the Luna HSM must ensure that there are procedures in place such that, after a system failure or other discontinuity, recovery of the Luna HSM and the host IT environment is possible without compromise of IT security.

Those responsible for the Luna HSM must ensure that those using the Luna HSM (including Security Officers and Token/Partition Users), have a level of competence sufficient to ensure its correct management and operation. This competence may be established through a combination of training and the accompanying Installation Guide and Configuration, Administration, and Reference documentation.

Procedural and physical measures must prevent the disclosure of cryptography-related IT assets to unauthorized individuals or users via the electromagnetic emanations of the Luna HSM .

Those responsible for the host IT environment must ensure that no connections are provided to outside systems or users that would undermine IT security.

Those responsible for the host IT environment must ensure that the power supplied to the Luna HSM is adequately protected against unexpected interruptions and the effects of surges and voltage fluctuations outside the normal operating range of the device.

Those responsible for the host IT environment must ensure that the Luna HSM is operated in an environment in which there is provided adequate protection against disasters such as fire and flood.

Those responsible for the host IT environment must ensure that the Luna HSM is located in an environment that is adequate to protect security-relevant and cryptographic key data and the Luna HSM firmware from interference or inadvertent modification by strong electromagnetic radiation from other sources.