Hardware Security Module

A Hardware Security Module (HSM) is a physical computing device designed to safeguard and manage cryptographic keys, perform encryption and decryption operations, and generate digital signatures within a tamper-resistant hardware environment. HSMs provide the highest level of security for cryptographic operations because the private keys never leave the protected hardware boundary, making them resistant to software-based attacks, key extraction, and physical tampering.

In healthcare, HSMs are critical for digital prescription signing, patient identity verification, and securing sensitive health data. When a physician signs a digital prescription, the signing operation occurs inside the HSM, ensuring that the private key used to create the signature is never exposed to the host system or network. This approach provides non-repudiation, meaning the signature can be definitively linked to the prescriber and cannot be forged.

HSMs are available in several form factors, including PCIe cards installed in servers, USB-connected devices, and network-attached appliances. They comply with international security standards such as FIPS 140-2 (Level 3 or higher) and Common Criteria, which certify the hardware's resistance to physical and logical attacks.

Formidable Care leverages HSM technology in its eSign platform to provide regulatory-compliant digital signatures for prescriptions and healthcare documents. By performing all cryptographic operations within the secure hardware boundary, the platform ensures that digital signatures meet the stringent requirements of healthcare regulations while maintaining high throughput for real-time prescription signing.