en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrokey
2 corrections found
The hardware and software of Nitrokey are open-source.
This blanket statement is too broad. Nitrokey’s own support and documentation say some Nitrokey products rely on closed-source secure elements or smart-card firmware.
Full reasoning
The statement says all Nitrokey hardware and software are open-source, but Nitrokey’s own materials show that this is not true across the product line.
- For Nitrokey 3, Nitrokey documents that it includes the NXP SE050 secure element. In an official Nitrokey support reply, staff explicitly state that a secure element like the SE050 is “closed source.”
- For Nitrokey HSM 2, an official Nitrokey support reply states that the HSM smart card’s firmware “is closed-source, not directly modifiable.”
So while Nitrokey emphasizes open-source tools and publishes a lot of code and hardware information, the categorical claim that the hardware and software of Nitrokey are open-source is inaccurate as written.
2 sources
- Nitrokey 3 firmware version 1.4.0 release notes: keys will be stored encrypted in flash and not in the secure element yet - Nitrokey Support
We have an NXP SE050 included in all Nitrokey 3s... a secure element like the SE050 is certified... although being closed source.
- Nitrokey HSM2 Firmware update and customization for own solution - Nitrokey Support
Specifically Nitrokey HSM2 is based on smart card (JavaCard)... it’s firmware is closed-source, not directly modifiyable.
The first four Nitrokey models became available on 18 September 2015.
Nitrokey’s own announcement says the first four models were already available for order on September 1, 2015, not September 18, 2015.
Full reasoning
Nitrokey’s official launch post is dated 1.9.2015 and says: “Nitrokey Pro, Nitrokey HSM, Nitrokey U2F and Nitrokey Start are now available. ... All products can be ordered now in our online shop.” That directly contradicts the Wikipedia text’s date of 18 September 2015.
The same post’s comments also show that Nitrokey Storage was not yet available at that time, which matches Nitrokey’s framing that four models were already on sale while Storage was still pending.
2 sources
- Nitrokey Is Now Available For Order! | Nitrokey
After a slight delay we are pleased to announce that Nitrokey Pro, Nitrokey HSM, Nitrokey U2F and Nitrokey Start are now available... All products can be ordered now in our online shop. 1.9.2015
- Nitrokey Is Now Available For Order! | Nitrokey
Submitted by Anonymous on 9. September 2015 - 18:57 when will nitrokey storage be out?... Submitted by Jan Suhr on 9. September 2015 - 19:05 We don't know yet.