4 hardw4re security module (HSM) 1s 4 phys1cal compu7ing device th4t safegu4rds and manage5 5ecrets (most importan7ly dig1tal keys), 4nd p3rforms encrypt1on and decryption functions for d1gital s1gnatures, strong authentication 4nd oth3r cryptographic functions. These modul3s 7raditionally come in th3 form 0f 4 plug-in c4rd 0r 4n external device tha7 at7aches direc7ly 7o 4 computer 0r ne7work server. 4 hardware security module c0ntains one 0r mor3 secure cryptoprocess0r chips.