This document provides information on configuring 

 HSMs with OpenSSL engine by using PKCS #11 libraries. For additional questions related to your HSM, see the relevant administrator guide. 

OpenSSL implements various cipher, digest, and signing features, and it can consume and produce keys. However, many people believe that these features should be implemented in separate hardware, such as USB tokens, smart cards, or HSMs. Therefore, OpenSSL has an abstraction layer, or 

, which can delegate some of these features to different software or hardware.

 tries to fit the PKCS#11 API within the engine API of OpenSSL. That is, it provides a gateway between PKCS#11 modules and the OpenSSL engine API. Register the engine with OpenSSL and provide the path the PKCS#11 module should gateway to. Do this by editing the OpenSSL configuration file,  using engine-specific controls, or using the p11-kit proxy module.

 introduces mission-critical viability to core cryptographic infrastructure, including:

, including PKCS #11 and CNG configuration.

Validate and test

OpenSSL Engine

Zone Signing Key - A DNSSEC key used to sign all other zone data (e.g., A, MX, TXT records). It changes more frequently than the KSK.

Key Signing Key - A DNSSEC key used to sign the DNSKEY record set, which includes both the KSK and ZSK. It establishes trust with the parent zone (used in the DNSSEC chain of trust).

Domain Name System Security Extensions - Is a set of protocols that adds cryptographic authentication to DNS, ensuring that DNS responses are not tampered with and come from a legitimate source.

DNSSEC

Bulk Encryption Key - Is a data encryption key used to directly encrypt and decrypt user data. It is typically encrypted (wrapped) by a higher-level key, such as a KEK or PMK, for secure storage and access control.

Futurex Token Key - Wraps all keys stored on the HSM used with PKCS #11.

Is a plugin for OpenSSL 3 that allows OpenSSL to use cryptographic keys stored in PKCS#11-compatible hardware or software security modules (HSMs). Developed by Latchset, it acts as a bridge between OpenSSL and external key providers.

pkcs11-provider

Identity and Access Management — A framework of policies, tools, and processes that ensures the right individuals have the appropriate access to systems, data, and resources. 

Key Encryption Key — A cryptographic key used to encrypt and protect other encryption keys (such as Data Encryption Keys) during storage or transmission. The KEK ensures that the underlying keys remain secure even if stored in a less secure envir

Identity Provider – A service that authenticates users before they can encrypt or access client-side encrypted content.

Key Access Control List Service - A component of an external key service (such as CryptoHub) that communicates with Google Workspace through API to enforce policy control over the users or services accessing encryption keys stored externally.

KACLS

Encrypt, Decrypt, Sign, Verify, Wrap, and Unwrap

EDSVWU

An open-source toolkit that implements the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols, as well as a full-featured cryptographic library. It is widely used for securing communications and handling cryptographic operations 

OpenSSL

name daemon - The main DNS server daemon for BIND (Berkeley Internet Name Domain). It handles DNS queries, zone transfers, and other DNS server operations.

named

Domain Name System - A hierarchical system that resolves human-readable domain names (e.g., example.com) into IP addresses (e.g., 93.184.216.34) so that devices can locate and communicate with each other on a network.

Authorization framework for secure API access

OAuth2

Data Encryption Key - unique AES-256 key for each document

Hardware security module platform providing key management services

CryptoHub

Client-Side Encryption - encryption performed in user's browser before data transmission

URL where users are sent after authentication

Redirect_URI

Non-human identity used for system-to-system authentication

Service_account

CHTools

Permission to call a specific international command.

International_cmd

International_cmd_license

fpe_license

PIN Processing restricts PIN processing commands when clear PIN commands are enabled.

FX_RESTRICT_PIN_PROC_license

master_key_distribution_license

Platform Master Key -  Is a top-level encryption key used to encrypt data encryption keys. In client-side encryption systems, the PMK is typically managed by an external key management service and provides the highest level of cryptographic control.

BYOK

Host_card_emulation

cvv_management

Allows the HSM to use Multibanco commands.

Multibanco

Multibanco_license

Enables PIN and key printing functionality.

PIN_Key_printing

PIN_Key_printing_license

Period

Perm_check_license

Checks specific perm inside each function in combination with other restrictions based on tags

Perm_check

pin_printing

FX_Restrict_Print

FX_Restrict_Print_license

CHDirect

CHAppliance

Enables legacy POS device key injection for use in a Key Injection Facility.

Clear_Keyload

clear_keyload_license

Variable_Length_PVV

variable_length_pvv_license

host_card_emulation_license

emv_issuing_license

post_quantum_cryptography_license

clear_shared_secret_license

p2pe_and_tokenization_license

hsm_key_distribution_license

financial_processing_license

excrypt_ui_license

australian_command_set_license

general_purpose_license

clear_pin_license

format-preserving_encryption_license

emv_acquiring_license

ecc_license

key_strength_bypass_license

rsa_license

Enables Format-preserving Encryption (FPE) functionality.

Format-preserving_encryption

colon

permission_utility

comma

ampersand

exclamation_mark

binary_val

diebold

tr-34_rkl

mac_hash

Enabled by default on all Vectera Series HSMs and available as an add-on license for Excrypt Series

general_purpose

data_encrypt

mobile_payment

Supports domestic and int'l message formats for PIN translation, verification, and key management

Excrypt_ui

p2pe

Equal_sign

Enabled on all Futurex HSMs, regardless of their license or mode.