2017-03-15 18:31:14 +00:00
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---
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layout: "docs"
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page_title: "Vault Enterprise HSM Support"
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sidebar_current: "docs-vault-enterprise-hsm"
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description: |-
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Vault Enterprise has HSM support, allowing for external master key storage and automatic unsealing.
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---
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# Vault Enterprise HSM Support
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HSM support is a feature of [Vault
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Enterprise](https://www.hashicorp.com/vault.html) that takes advantage of HSMs
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to provide two pieces of special functionality:
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* Master Key Wrapping: Vault protects its master key by transiting it through
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the HSM for encryption rather than splitting into key shares
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* Automatic Unsealing: Vault stores its encrypted master key in storage,
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allowing for automatic unsealing
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HSM support is currently limited to devices that support PKCS#11 interfaces and
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provide integration libraries. It has successfully been tested with AWS'
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[CloudHSM](https://aws.amazon.com/cloudhsm/), as well as Thales, Utimaco, and
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SafeNet/Gemalto devices.
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Some parts of Vault work differently when using an HSM. Please see the
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[Behavioral Changes](/docs/vault-enterprise/hsm/behavior.html) page for important information
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on these differences.
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2017-11-14 11:13:11 +00:00
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The [Configuration](/docs/configuration/seal/pkcs11.html) page contains configuration
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2017-03-15 18:31:14 +00:00
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information.
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Finally, the [Security](/docs/vault-enterprise/hsm/security.html) page contains information
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about deploying Vault's HSM support in a secure fashion.
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