Tamper-resistant security module

A tamper-resistant security module is a physical computing device that safeguards and manages cryptographic keys and provides cryptographic processing. Hardware security modules provide tamper-evident and intrusion-resistant protection for digital keys and other secrets.^[1]

There are varying levels of protection afforded by TRSMs:

Tamper-resistance: make intrusion difficult, usually by employing hardened casing
Tamper-evident: make intrusion attempts evident to subsequent viewers, often by employing seals which must be broken during intrusion
Tamper-responsive: detect the intrusion attempt and destroy the contents in the process

A TRSM is usually also a hardware security module (HSM).

References

↑ "Hardware Security Module (HSM)". NIST Computer Security Resource Center. National Institute of Standards and Technology. Retrieved 2026-09-23.

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[1] "Hardware Security Module (HSM)". NIST Computer Security Resource Center. National Institute of Standards and Technology. Retrieved 2026-09-23.

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