nCipher plc , a provider of solutions to protect critical enterprise data, introduced on Monday (11 August) nCipher nShield for PCI Express.

The offering is the first multi-platform hardware security module (HSM) for PCI Express, a computer expansion card interface format abbreviated as PCI-E or PCIe.

According to the company, nCipher's PCI Express HSMs are available in two variants: nCipher nShield 6000e, a high-performance multi-platform HSM for processing 2048 bit and 4096 bit keys; and nCipher nShield 500e, suited for applications with less demanding performance. The products have been designed to improve performance when using longer key lengths to increase overall security.

When performing signing operations using the 2048-bit RSA algorithm, nShield 6000e provides over five times the performance compared to its predecessor and over 12 times more transactions per second than the closest competitive product when using 4096 bit keys, nCipher claims.

The new products and the existing nShield product family enable customers to utilise tamper-resistant security practices regardless of the server platforms they choose to deploy.

nCipher nShield for PCI Express complies with FIPS 140-2 Level 3 (validation pending) and is available in both compact low-profile and full-height variants. No pricing details were disclosed.