An encryption circuit for simultaneously processing various encryption
algorithms, the circuit being capable of being coupled with a host system
hosted by a computing machine. The circuit comprises an input/output
module responsible for the data exchanges between the host system and the
circuit via a dedicated bus. An encryption module coupled with the
input/output module is in charge of the encryption and decryption
operations. Isolation means between the input/output module and the
encryption module makes the sensitive information stored in the
encryption module inaccessible to the host system and ensures the
parallelism of the operations performed by the input/output module and
the encryption module. The circuit is supported on a peripheral component
interconnect card. The circuit is specifically adapted to provide
"hardware" protection of computer servers or stations.