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Docker Secrets VS nCipher nShield General Purpose HSM

Compare Docker Secrets VS nCipher nShield General Purpose HSM and see what are their differences

Docker Secrets logo Docker Secrets

About secrets In terms of Docker Swarm services, a secret is a blob of data, such as a password, SSH private key, SSL certificate, or another piece of data that...

nCipher nShield General Purpose HSM logo nCipher nShield General Purpose HSM

nCipher nShield General Purpose HSM is a security solution that provides modules in order to achieve cryptographic algorithms like managing encryption and signing keys, as well as executing sensitive functions within the organization.
  • Docker Secrets Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-18
  • nCipher nShield General Purpose HSM Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-08

Docker Secrets features and specs

  • Secure Storage
    Docker Secrets provide a secure way to store sensitive data, such as passwords and API keys, as they are encrypted at rest and in transit, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
  • Isolation
    Secrets are only accessible within the specific service containers that need them, offering a level of isolation that helps prevent leakage to other parts of the system.
  • Versioning and Rollback
    Docker allows for the management of secrets within a swarm, making it easier to update them and roll back if necessary without affecting non-updated applications.
  • Operational Simplicity
    Integrating secrets into Docker orchestration workflows simplifies operations, as the secrets can be managed consistently alongside other Docker configurations.

Possible disadvantages of Docker Secrets

  • Swarm Dependency
    Docker Secrets require Docker Swarm for management, which may not be suitable for all deployment scenarios, limiting their utility in non-swarm environments.
  • Limited Scope
    Secrets are specifically designed for use with services rather than standalone containers, which might limit their usage in certain Docker setups.
  • Size Constraints
    Individual secrets have a maximum size limit of 500 KB, which could pose challenges when dealing with larger sets of sensitive data.
  • Complex Access Controls
    Managing permissions and access controls for secrets can be complex and may require careful setup to ensure proper access levels are maintained.

nCipher nShield General Purpose HSM features and specs

  • High Security
    nCipher nShield HSMs provide a high assurance level of security to protect cryptographic keys and operations, ensuring that sensitive information is well protected from unauthorized access.
  • Compliance and Certification
    They are certified to meet stringent security standards such as FIPS 140-2 Level 3 and Common Criteria, which aid organizations in achieving compliance with various regulatory requirements.
  • Comprehensive API Support
    nShield HSMs support a wide range of APIs including PKCS#11, Microsoft CAPI and CNG, JCE, and more, making them highly versatile and compatible with various applications.
  • Scalability
    These HSMs are designed to meet the scalability needs of growing businesses, allowing expansion as demand for cryptographic operations increases.
  • Enhanced Performance
    Users benefit from high-performance cryptographic operations, which help maintain system efficiency, especially under heavy loads.

Possible disadvantages of nCipher nShield General Purpose HSM

  • High Cost
    The upfront and ongoing costs of purchasing and maintaining nShield HSMs can be high, which may be a concern for smaller organizations with limited budgets.
  • Complex Integration
    Integrating these devices into existing IT infrastructure can be complex, requiring specialized knowledge and potential modifications to legacy systems.
  • Maintenance and Management
    The requirement for ongoing management and regular maintenance might demand additional resources and skilled personnel, adding to the overall operational cost.
  • Physical Space Requirement
    nShield HSMs require physical space within a secure environment, which might be a limitation for organizations with restricted data center space.
  • Dependency on Hardware
    As a hardware-based solution, these HSMs create a dependency on physical devices, which might not align with organizations moving towards fully virtualized or cloud environments.

Docker Secrets videos

Docker Swarm Secrets | Docker Secrets Management To Protect Sensitive Data | Thetips4you

nCipher nShield General Purpose HSM videos

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Docker Secrets and nCipher nShield General Purpose HSM)
Password Management
60 60%
40% 40
Security & Privacy
47 47%
53% 53
Web Development Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Network & Admin
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Docker Secrets seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 24 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Docker Secrets mentions (24)

  • Mastering Docker Compose: Advanced Patterns for On-Prem SaaS Deployments
    Tip: Restrict file permissions (chmod 600 db_password.txt) to prevent unauthorized access. Learn more in Docker’s secrets guide. - Source: dev.to / 12 days ago
  • Docker Secrets Management: Essential Practices for Container Security
    For more information, refer to the official Docker documentation on secrets. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Lockdown Your Containers: 11 Docker Security Tips
    Storing sensitive information like passwords, API keys, and other secrets directly in your Dockerfile or Docker Compose file is a security risk. Instead, use Docker secrets for managing this sensitive data. - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
  • Does Your Startup Need Complex Cloud Infrastructure?
    Yes, swarm is not deprecated. I haven't used it myself yet, but I read elsewhere that swarm offers an easy way to manage secrets with containers. Some people run their 1 container in a swarm cluster with 1 node just for this feature. I see it's even officially suggested as a Note in the doc: > Docker secrets are only available to swarm services, not to standalone containers. To use this feature, *consider adapting... - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • 5 Often-Ignored Docker Security Risks
    The solution is to keep your images clean of any sensitive data. Instead, use environment variables, Docker secrets, or dedicated secrets management tools to handle sensitive information. - Source: dev.to / 10 months ago
View more

nCipher nShield General Purpose HSM mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of nCipher nShield General Purpose HSM yet. Tracking of nCipher nShield General Purpose HSM recommendations started around Dec 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Docker Secrets and nCipher nShield General Purpose HSM, you can also consider the following products

VAULT - A password manager for freelancers, developers, agencies, IT departments and teams. VAULT safely stores account information and makes it easy to share between co-workers, other team members and clients.

Thales SafeNet Luna HSM - Thales SafeNet Luna HSM is an open-source HSM that protects encryption keys used by applications in on-premises, virtual, and cloud environments.

AWS CloudHSM - Data Security

EnvKey - Protect API keys and credentials. Keep configuration in sync everywhere.

Yubico YubiHSM - YubiHSM is cryptographic protection for servers, applications, and computing devices.

Imperva Data Protection - Secure your data from attacks and simplify regulatory compliance. Imperva data security protects what matters most for your business – your data.