Code Signing Key Management Server (CSKMS)
Code Signing Key Management Server (CSKMS) is a self-hosted server that protects code-signing keys and signs firmware, applications, software images, block i…
What Code Signing Key Management Server (CSKMS) is
Code Signing Key Management Server (CSKMS) is a self-hosted server that protects code-signing keys and signs firmware, applications, software images, block images, and hash fingerprints. It supports RSA, ECDSA, LMS, XMSS, and Dilithium signatures, signing either a supplied hash or a hash calculated from a presented file image. AES key management handles file encryption and key wrapping, while MAC-based authentication protects images. Code-signing clients connect through a RESTful API, with custom integration services available for backend over-the-air and provisioning systems. Administrators organize keys into groups, assign permissions, and use M-of-N hardware tokens. Keys are protected in FIPS 140-2 Level 3 hardware security modules. Logs record signatures, metadata, and users or applications using protected keys. Deployment can be offline in an isolated security bunker or through secure web services. WebAuthn remote tokens, certificate self-signing, CSR export, CI/CD signing, and Standard or Premium support are also listed.
Good
- Supports RSA, ECDSA, LMS, XMSS, and Dilithium
- FIPS 140-2 Level 3 HSM protection
- REST API for signing clients
- M-of-N tokens control administration
- Offline or automated signing deployment
Watch out
- Pricing is available on request
- Self-hosted deployment requires server infrastructure
- CentOS 7-based appliance environment
- No certificates are listed as a feature
Who it suits
CSKMS is intended for IC manufacturers and OEMs that sign and secure device software. It also fits teams needing controlled firmware or application signing in self-hosted environments.
Verdict
CSKMS focuses on protected keys, controlled signing, and auditable software delivery. Its self-hosted and offline options suit organizations with strict signing controls.
The facts
Each one read from Code Signing Key Management Server (CSKMS)'s own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Access controls
- Signing keys can be administered using key groups and user permissions, with M-of-N hardware tokens for administration and control.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Additional features
- The datasheet lists WebAuthn remote-token support, signing-key administration with key groups and user permissions, and certificate self-signing or CSR export.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Administration and audit
- The product page says CSKMS securely logs key usage and metadata.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Algorithms
- It supports RSA, ECDSA, and quantum-resistant digital signatures, plus NIST-approved key derivation, encryption, and key-wrapping algorithms with selectable bit strengths.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Audit logging
- The server logs signatures and associated metadata, and the datasheet describes an audit trail of users or applications that used protected keys.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Custom integration
- The datasheet says custom integration services are available.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- It can run offline in an isolated security bunker, where security officers present tokens to access restricted project keys, or connect through secure web services for automated signing.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Deployment hardware
- The datasheet describes a hardened server appliance with a CentOS 7-based secure operating environment.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- The KMS supports AES key management for file encryption and key wrapping, as well as MAC-based image authentication.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Hardware security
- The server uses FIPS 140-2 certified hardware security modules to protect sensitive keying material.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Integration
- Web-service APIs support integration with backend over-the-air services and device-provisioning systems, including Certicom’s Asset Management System.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- It provides a RESTful API for code-signing clients and offers custom integration services.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- Certicom describes the server as a solution for manufacturers protecting device software and firmware, including critical-infrastructure, industrial-control, aerospace, military, telecommunications, transportation, and connected-car applications.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Key permissions
- It manages signing privileges for key sets and authorized user groups.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Key protection
- The datasheet says keys are protected in a FIPS 140-2 Level 3 physical HSM.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- CSKMS manages access to code-signing and encryption keys, signs software images, and can optionally encrypt them for target projects.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Signature algorithms
- The datasheet lists RSA, ECDSA, LMS, XMSS and Dilithium digital signatures.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Signing options
- The datasheet states that the server can sign a precomputed hash or compute and sign a hash from a presented file image, logging the signature and metadata.checked 10 Oct 2026
- Support
- Certicom lists Standard and Premium support options; Premium support includes 7×24 hours and a stated response time of one business hour to one business day on its support-offerings page.checked 10 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 1985checked 28 Sep 2026
- Maker history
- Certicom says it was founded in 1985 and acquired by BlackBerry in 2009.checked 10 Oct 2026
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