performing-hardware-security-module-integration

$npx mdskill add mukul975/Anthropic-Cybersecurity-Skills/performing-hardware-security-module-integration

Execute secure cryptographic operations via HSMs using PKCS#11.

  • Manages key generation, signing, and storage on hardware tokens.
  • Leverages python-pkcs11, AWS CloudHSM, and YubiHSM2 libraries.
  • Validates FIPS 140 compliance before executing cryptographic tasks.
  • Returns execution status and token configuration details to the caller.

SKILL.md

.github/skills/performing-hardware-security-module-integrationView on GitHub ↗
---
name: performing-hardware-security-module-integration
description: Integrate Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) using PKCS#11 interface for cryptographic key management, signing operations, and secure key storage with python-pkcs11, AWS CloudHSM, and YubiHSM2.
domain: cybersecurity
subdomain: cryptography
tags: [HSM, PKCS11, CloudHSM, YubiHSM2, key-management, cryptographic-operations, hardware-security]
version: "1.0"
author: mahipal
license: Apache-2.0
---

# Performing Hardware Security Module Integration

## Overview

Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) provide tamper-resistant cryptographic key storage and operations. This skill covers integrating with HSMs via the PKCS#11 standard interface using python-pkcs11, performing key generation, signing, encryption, and verification operations, querying token and slot information, and validating HSM configuration for compliance with FIPS 140-2/3 requirements.


## When to Use

- When conducting security assessments that involve performing hardware security module integration
- When following incident response procedures for related security events
- When performing scheduled security testing or auditing activities
- When validating security controls through hands-on testing

## Prerequisites

- HSM device or software HSM (SoftHSM2 for testing)
- PKCS#11 shared library (.so/.dll) for the HSM vendor
- Python 3.9+ with `python-pkcs11`
- Token initialized with SO PIN and user PIN
- For AWS CloudHSM: `cloudhsm-pkcs11` provider configured

## Steps

1. Load PKCS#11 library and enumerate available slots and tokens
2. Open session and authenticate with user PIN
3. Generate RSA 2048-bit or EC P-256 key pairs on the HSM
4. Perform signing and verification using on-device keys
5. List all objects (keys, certificates) stored on the token
6. Query mechanism list to verify supported algorithms
7. Generate compliance report with key inventory and algorithm audit

## Expected Output

- JSON report listing HSM slots, tokens, stored keys, supported mechanisms, and compliance status
- Signing test results with key metadata and algorithm details

More from mukul975/Anthropic-Cybersecurity-Skills

SkillDescription
acquiring-disk-image-with-dd-and-dcflddCreate forensically sound bit-for-bit disk images using dd and dcfldd while preserving evidence integrity through hash verification.
analyzing-active-directory-acl-abuseDetect dangerous ACL misconfigurations in Active Directory using ldap3 to identify GenericAll, WriteDACL, and WriteOwner abuse paths
analyzing-android-malware-with-apktoolPerform static analysis of Android APK malware samples using apktool for decompilation, jadx for Java source recovery, and androguard for permission analysis, manifest inspection, and suspicious API call detection.
analyzing-api-gateway-access-logs>
analyzing-apt-group-with-mitre-navigatorAnalyze advanced persistent threat (APT) group techniques using MITRE ATT&CK Navigator to create layered heatmaps of adversary TTPs for detection gap analysis and threat-informed defense.
analyzing-azure-activity-logs-for-threats>
analyzing-bootkit-and-rootkit-samples>
analyzing-browser-forensics-with-hindsightAnalyze Chromium-based browser artifacts using Hindsight to extract browsing history, downloads, cookies, cached content, autofill data, saved passwords, and browser extensions from Chrome, Edge, Brave, and Opera for forensic investigation.
analyzing-campaign-attribution-evidenceCampaign attribution analysis involves systematically evaluating evidence to determine which threat actor or group is responsible for a cyber operation. This skill covers collecting and weighting attr
analyzing-certificate-transparency-for-phishingMonitor Certificate Transparency logs using crt.sh and Certstream to detect phishing domains, lookalike certificates, and unauthorized certificate issuance targeting your organization.