Solutions by Industry

U.S. Federal Government Data Protection

Federal government agencies and their partners protect sensitive information with Entrust nShield HSM security solutions

U.S. Federal agencies face complex data protection challenges from cybercriminals, state actors, and malicious insiders who seek to expose sensitive records found in agency databases, both on-premises and in the cloud.

Entrust nShield® hardware security modules (HSMs) and our Entrust Ready Technology Partners offer proven data protection solutions that enable Federal agencies to align with security frameworks and programs, including:

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)
NIST 800-53
FedRAMP
DHS CDM
NSA CSfC Key Management

All our nShield HSMs are FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certified.

Entrust nShield HSMs are available to the U.S. Federal market through Carahsoft.

nShield FIPS Certifications

Contact an Entrust U.S. Federal Specialist

Entrust nShield HSM Partner Integrations

Click the logos below to learn more about our premier partner integrations and supported platforms.

ADCs, Firewalls, TLS/SSL Inspection

Blockchain

Cloud, Containers

Digital Signing, Code Signing

Encryption, Tokenization, Database Security

Key Management

Identity, User Authentication

Payment Security

PKI, IOT, Certificate Management

Privileged Access and Secrets Management

DoD and Intelligence Agency Solutions

Nation states and other malicious actors continue to probe Department of Defense and Intelligence agencies for cybersecurity weaknesses. As articulated by Ellen Lord, former Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment: "It's no secret that the U.S. is at cyber war every day.” ¹

To help address today’s dynamic threat landscape Federal agencies rely on Entrust and our technology partners to help protect their mission-critical data and cryptographic material. We have decades of experience in helping agencies address a wide range of use cases and programmatic requirements, including:

Featured Technology Partners

1. https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/Article/2312512/dodfocuses-on-minimizing-cyber-threats-to-department-contractors/Featured Technology Partners

Civilian Agency Solutions

Federal agencies collect and manage large volumes of sensitive data as a necessary part of their operations. This includes personally identifiable information (PII) and other mission-critical records that require high levels of protection. These large stores of data are highly attractive to cybercriminals, who seek to exploit it for financial gain.

Civilian agencies rely on Entrust and our technology partners to help protect their data and cryptographic material. We have decades of experience in helping agencies address a wide range of use cases and programmatic requirements, including

Featured Technology Partners

Resources

Solution brief: NSA CSfC Key Management

The NSA CSfC Key Management (KM) Requirements Annex specifies the use of approved algorithms and certificates to ensure the security of classified data in transit. Download this solution brief to learn how Entrust nShield HSMs help US government agencies meet the HSM requirements defined by the Key Management Capability Package.

Brochure: Entrust nShield HSMs Brochure

Entrust nShield HSMs provide a hardened, tamper-resistant environment for secure cryptographic processing, key generation and protection, encryption and more. Available in three FIPS 140-2 certified form factors, Entrust nShield HSMs support a variety of deployment scenarios.

Brochure: Entrust nShield HSM Professional Services

The Entrust nShield HSM professional services team offers unmatched expertise in architecting and implementing crypto applications for the world’s most security-conscious organizations. Download the catalog to learn how our team can help design and deploy the right solution for your unique environment.

Data Sheet: Code Signing Gateway

The Code Signing Gateway Service provides a range of flexible and centralized workflow automation functions that helps organizations successfully meet secure code signing requirements. The Code Signing Gateway is a customer hosted server that runs an Entrust nShield code signing application and is complemented by onsite installation and training delivered by Entrust nShield HSM professional services.

Solution brief: Code Signing

In addition to enhanced code signing key security, the Entrust nShield HSMs’ Code Signing solution offers a flexible range of automation capabilities for code signing approval processes as well as for centralized cryptographic key management. The Entrust nShield HSM Code Signing solution is unique in that it not only provides a high assurance method to protect private code signing keys in certified secure hardware, but also offers a flexible range of capabilities to simplify and automate the code signing request/approval workflow for organizations with more complex environments.

Solution brief: Bring Your Own Key | Hold Your Own Key

Entrust nShield HSMs provides the mechanisms that let you use your nShield HSMs to generate keys, secure long-term storage, and export your keys into the cloud, whether you’re using Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP) or Microsoft Azure. Download the solution brief to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is government data protection?

Government data protection involves safeguarding sensitive information stored and processed by federal agencies, such as classified records, personal data, and critical infrastructure information. It ensures data confidentiality, integrity, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Why is government data protection important?

Protecting government data is crucial for several reasons:

National security: Government data protection is essential for safeguarding classified and sensitive information that, if compromised, could put national security at risk — potentially exposing government strategies, operations, and intelligence. In 2022, federal agencies reported 30,659 information security incidents to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Such attacks have the potential to jeopardized both national secrets and human safety.
Public trust and transparency: Breaches can erode public trust and confidence in federal institutions, exposing individuals to identity theft, fraud, and other potential threats. According to the Pew Research Center, 71% of Americans are concerned about how the government uses their sensitive personal information.

What are the challenges of protecting federal data?

Federal agencies face challenges such as:

Sophisticated cyberattacks exploiting vulnerabilities.
Managing sensitive data across complex, decentralized systems.
Compliance with evolving regulations and standards.
Talent shortages in cybersecurity roles.

What are the primary threats to government data security?

Major threats include cybercriminals, state-sponsored attacks, hacktivists, and insider threats. These actors target sensitive government data for financial gain, espionage, or disruption of critical operations.

Which laws govern federal data protection?

Key U.S. laws include the Privacy Act of 1974, the E-Government Act of 2002, and the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) of 2014. These laws establish guidelines for data collection, management, and protection by federal agencies.

What is FISMA?

FISMA mandates that federal agencies adopt a risk-based approach to cybersecurity, ensuring comprehensive protection for information systems. It enforces compliance with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines and requires continuous monitoring to reduce risks.

What is FedRAMP?

The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) standardizes security assessments for cloud service providers. It ensures federal agencies can securely adopt cloud solutions while maintaining compliance with strict security requirements.

What solutions does Entrust offer for government data protection?

Entrust provides:

Hardware security modules (HSMs): Entrust's nShield HSMs provide a tamper-resistant environment for secure cryptographic processing, key generation, and encryption. They support various deployment scenarios, including on-premises and cloud environments, enabling agencies to protect cryptographic keys and perform secure transactions.
Identity and Access Management (IAM): Entrust's IAM solutions enable government agencies to manage and authenticate user identities effectively. By implementing strong authentication mechanisms, agencies can control access to sensitive information and systems, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.
Public Key Infrastructure (PKI): Entrust provides PKI solutions that establish a trustworthy environment by issuing and managing digital certificates. These certificates are essential for securing communications, authenticating users and devices, and ensuring data integrity across government networks.
Digital Certificates (TLS/SSL): To secure online communications, Entrust offers TLS/SSL certificates that encrypt data transmitted between official secure websites and users. This encryption protects sensitive information from interception and ensures the authenticity of government websites.
Citizen Identity Orchestration: Entrust's Citizen Identity Orchestration solution streamlines the delivery of public services through secure digital identities. It enables remote onboarding with AI-powered identity verification, digital identity issuance and management, and seamless service delivery, enhancing citizen engagement and trust in government services.

How can federal agencies prepare for cyber threats?

Agencies should adopt advanced security measures such as multi-factor authentication, zero-trust architectures, and encryption for data at rest and in transit. Continuous monitoring and compliance with frameworks like NIST 800-53 are also critical.