ISO/IEC 19790:2006 specifies the security requirements for a cryptographic module utilized within a security system protecting sensitive information in computer and telecommunication systems.
ISO/IEC 19790:2006 specifies the following.

• Four levels of increasing security for cryptographic modules. Each level offers an increase in security over the preceding level.
• The following functional security objectives:
• module specification;
• ports and interfaces;
• roles, services and authentication;
• finite state model;
• physical security;
• operational environment;
• cryptographic key management;
• self-tests;
• design assurance;
• mitigation of other attacks.

ISO/IEC 19790:2006 will be complemented by a future International Standard defining the associated evaluation and test methods.
ISO/IEC 19790:2006 is derived from NIST Federal Information Processing Standard PUB 140-2 May 25, 2001.