diff --git a/core/crypto/bccsp/factory/sw_factory.go b/core/crypto/bccsp/factory/sw_factory.go
index 9b3cb3731e1..7855b2174d5 100644
--- a/core/crypto/bccsp/factory/sw_factory.go
+++ b/core/crypto/bccsp/factory/sw_factory.go
@@ -54,13 +54,13 @@ func (f *SWFactory) Get(opts Opts) (bccsp.BCCSP, error) {
 
 	if !opts.Ephemeral() {
 		f.initOnce.Do(func() {
-			f.bccsp, f.err = sw.New()
+			f.bccsp, f.err = sw.NewDefaultSecurityLevel()
 			return
 		})
 		return f.bccsp, f.err
 	}
 
-	return sw.New()
+	return sw.NewDefaultSecurityLevel()
 }
 
 // SwOpts contains options for the SWFactory
diff --git a/core/crypto/bccsp/signer/signer_test.go b/core/crypto/bccsp/signer/signer_test.go
index c57cc9fb26f..0424056a245 100644
--- a/core/crypto/bccsp/signer/signer_test.go
+++ b/core/crypto/bccsp/signer/signer_test.go
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/hyperledger/fabric/core/crypto/bccsp"
 	"github.com/hyperledger/fabric/core/crypto/bccsp/sw"
-	"github.com/hyperledger/fabric/core/crypto/primitives"
 	"github.com/spf13/viper"
 )
 
@@ -32,11 +31,10 @@ var (
 
 func getBCCSP(t *testing.T) bccsp.BCCSP {
 	if swBCCSPInstance == nil {
-		primitives.InitSecurityLevel("SHA2", 256)
 		viper.Set("security.bccsp.default.keyStorePath", os.TempDir())
 
 		var err error
-		swBCCSPInstance, err = sw.New()
+		swBCCSPInstance, err = sw.NewDefaultSecurityLevel()
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("Failed initializing key store [%s]", err)
 		}
@@ -95,12 +93,18 @@ func TestSign(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	msg := []byte("Hello World")
-	signature, err := signer.Sign(rand.Reader, primitives.Hash(msg), nil)
+
+	digest, err := csp.Hash(msg, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed generating digest [%s]", err)
+	}
+
+	signature, err := signer.Sign(rand.Reader, digest, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Failed generating ECDSA signature [%s]", err)
 	}
 
-	valid, err := csp.Verify(k, signature, primitives.Hash(msg), nil)
+	valid, err := csp.Verify(k, signature, digest, nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Failed verifying ECDSA signature [%s]", err)
 	}
diff --git a/core/crypto/bccsp/sw/aeskey.go b/core/crypto/bccsp/sw/aeskey.go
index c2f51d41e22..11d18ca22c5 100644
--- a/core/crypto/bccsp/sw/aeskey.go
+++ b/core/crypto/bccsp/sw/aeskey.go
@@ -18,8 +18,9 @@ package sw
 import (
 	"errors"
 
+	"crypto/sha256"
+
 	"github.com/hyperledger/fabric/core/crypto/bccsp"
-	"github.com/hyperledger/fabric/core/crypto/primitives"
 )
 
 type aesPrivateKey struct {
@@ -39,7 +40,9 @@ func (k *aesPrivateKey) Bytes() (raw []byte, err error) {
 
 // SKI returns the subject key identifier of this key.
 func (k *aesPrivateKey) SKI() (ski []byte) {
-	return primitives.Hash(k.k)
+	hash := sha256.New()
+	hash.Write(k.k)
+	return hash.Sum(nil)
 }
 
 // Symmetric returns true if this key is a symmetric key,
diff --git a/core/crypto/bccsp/sw/conf.go b/core/crypto/bccsp/sw/conf.go
index 703b8c55cf1..d044a398b8e 100644
--- a/core/crypto/bccsp/sw/conf.go
+++ b/core/crypto/bccsp/sw/conf.go
@@ -21,16 +21,35 @@ import (
 
 	"os"
 
+	"crypto/elliptic"
+	"crypto/sha256"
+	"crypto/sha512"
+	"fmt"
+	"hash"
+
 	"github.com/spf13/viper"
+	"golang.org/x/crypto/sha3"
 )
 
 type config struct {
-	keystorePath string
+	keystorePath  string
+	securityLevel int
+	hashFamily    string
 
 	configurationPathProperty string
+	ellipticCurve             elliptic.Curve
+	hashFunction              func() hash.Hash
+	aesBitLength              int
+	rsaBitLength              int
 }
 
-func (conf *config) init() error {
+func (conf *config) init(securityLevel int, hashFamily string) error {
+	// Set security level
+	err := conf.setSecurityLevel(securityLevel, hashFamily)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("Failed initliazing security level [%s]", err)
+	}
+	// Set ks path
 	conf.configurationPathProperty = "security.bccsp.default.keyStorePath"
 
 	// Check mandatory fields
@@ -45,12 +64,59 @@ func (conf *config) init() error {
 	// Set configuration path
 	rootPath = filepath.Join(rootPath, "crypto")
 
-	// Set ks path
 	conf.keystorePath = filepath.Join(rootPath, "ks")
 
 	return nil
 }
 
+func (conf *config) setSecurityLevel(securityLevel int, hashFamily string) (err error) {
+	switch hashFamily {
+	case "SHA2":
+		err = conf.setSecurityLevelSHA2(securityLevel)
+	case "SHA3":
+		err = conf.setSecurityLevelSHA3(securityLevel)
+	default:
+		err = fmt.Errorf("Hash Family not supported [%s]", hashFamily)
+	}
+	return
+}
+
+func (conf *config) setSecurityLevelSHA2(level int) (err error) {
+	switch level {
+	case 256:
+		conf.ellipticCurve = elliptic.P256()
+		conf.hashFunction = sha256.New
+		conf.rsaBitLength = 2048
+		conf.aesBitLength = 32
+	case 384:
+		conf.ellipticCurve = elliptic.P384()
+		conf.hashFunction = sha512.New384
+		conf.rsaBitLength = 3072
+		conf.aesBitLength = 32
+	default:
+		err = fmt.Errorf("Security level not supported [%d]", level)
+	}
+	return
+}
+
+func (conf *config) setSecurityLevelSHA3(level int) (err error) {
+	switch level {
+	case 256:
+		conf.ellipticCurve = elliptic.P256()
+		conf.hashFunction = sha3.New256
+		conf.rsaBitLength = 2048
+		conf.aesBitLength = 32
+	case 384:
+		conf.ellipticCurve = elliptic.P384()
+		conf.hashFunction = sha3.New384
+		conf.rsaBitLength = 3072
+		conf.aesBitLength = 32
+	default:
+		err = fmt.Errorf("Security level not supported [%d]", level)
+	}
+	return
+}
+
 func (conf *config) checkProperty(property string) error {
 	res := viper.GetString(property)
 	if res == "" {
diff --git a/core/crypto/bccsp/sw/ecdsakey.go b/core/crypto/bccsp/sw/ecdsakey.go
index 9e3fa40b507..8f925b89d76 100644
--- a/core/crypto/bccsp/sw/ecdsakey.go
+++ b/core/crypto/bccsp/sw/ecdsakey.go
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ import (
 	"crypto/x509"
 	"fmt"
 
+	"crypto/sha256"
+
 	"github.com/hyperledger/fabric/core/crypto/bccsp"
 	"github.com/hyperledger/fabric/core/crypto/primitives"
 )
@@ -44,7 +46,9 @@ func (k *ecdsaPrivateKey) SKI() (ski []byte) {
 	raw, _ := primitives.PrivateKeyToDER(k.k)
 	// TODO: Error should not be thrown. Anyway, move the marshalling at initialization.
 
-	return primitives.Hash(raw)
+	hash := sha256.New()
+	hash.Write(raw)
+	return hash.Sum(nil)
 }
 
 // Symmetric returns true if this key is a symmetric key,
@@ -89,7 +93,9 @@ func (k *ecdsaPublicKey) SKI() (ski []byte) {
 	raw, _ := primitives.PublicKeyToPEM(k.k, nil)
 	// TODO: Error should not be thrown. Anyway, move the marshalling at initialization.
 
-	return primitives.Hash(raw)
+	hash := sha256.New()
+	hash.Write(raw)
+	return hash.Sum(nil)
 }
 
 // Symmetric returns true if this key is a symmetric key,
diff --git a/core/crypto/bccsp/sw/impl.go b/core/crypto/bccsp/sw/impl.go
index 3654eb828f3..0aaafb34e94 100644
--- a/core/crypto/bccsp/sw/impl.go
+++ b/core/crypto/bccsp/sw/impl.go
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@ import (
 
 	"crypto/x509"
 
+	"crypto/hmac"
+
 	"github.com/hyperledger/fabric/core/crypto/bccsp"
 	"github.com/hyperledger/fabric/core/crypto/primitives"
 	"github.com/hyperledger/fabric/core/crypto/utils"
@@ -40,10 +42,17 @@ var (
 	logger = logging.MustGetLogger("SW_BCCSP")
 )
 
-// New returns a new instance of the software-based BCCSP.
-func New() (bccsp.BCCSP, error) {
+// NewDefaultSecurityLevel returns a new instance of the software-based BCCSP
+// at security level 256 and hash family SHA2
+func NewDefaultSecurityLevel() (bccsp.BCCSP, error) {
+	return New(256, "SHA2")
+}
+
+// New returns a new instance of the software-based BCCSP
+// set at the passed security level and hash family.
+func New(securityLevel int, hashFamily string) (bccsp.BCCSP, error) {
 	conf := &config{}
-	err := conf.init()
+	err := conf.init(securityLevel, hashFamily)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("Failed initializing configuration [%s]", err)
 	}
@@ -52,14 +61,16 @@ func New() (bccsp.BCCSP, error) {
 	if err := ks.init(nil, conf); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("Failed initializing key store [%s]", err)
 	}
-	return &impl{ks}, nil
+	return &impl{conf, ks}, nil
 }
 
 // SoftwareBasedBCCSP is the software-based implementation of the BCCSP.
-// It is based on code used in the primitives package.
+// It uses util code in the primitives package but does not depend on the
+// initialization of that package.
 // It can be configured via viper.
 type impl struct {
-	ks *keyStore
+	conf *config
+	ks   *keyStore
 }
 
 // KeyGen generates a key using opts.
@@ -72,7 +83,7 @@ func (csp *impl) KeyGen(opts bccsp.KeyGenOpts) (k bccsp.Key, err error) {
 	// Parse algorithm
 	switch opts.Algorithm() {
 	case bccsp.ECDSA:
-		lowLevelKey, err := primitives.NewECDSAKey()
+		lowLevelKey, err := ecdsa.GenerateKey(csp.conf.ellipticCurve, rand.Reader)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("Failed generating ECDSA key [%s]", err)
 		}
@@ -90,7 +101,7 @@ func (csp *impl) KeyGen(opts bccsp.KeyGenOpts) (k bccsp.Key, err error) {
 
 		return k, nil
 	case bccsp.AES:
-		lowLevelKey, err := primitives.GenAESKey()
+		lowLevelKey, err := primitives.GetRandomBytes(csp.conf.aesBitLength)
 
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("Failed generating AES key [%s]", err)
@@ -109,7 +120,7 @@ func (csp *impl) KeyGen(opts bccsp.KeyGenOpts) (k bccsp.Key, err error) {
 
 		return k, nil
 	case bccsp.RSA:
-		lowLevelKey, err := primitives.NewRSAKey()
+		lowLevelKey, err := rsa.GenerateKey(rand.Reader, csp.conf.rsaBitLength)
 
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("Failed generating RSA (2048) key [%s]", err)
@@ -216,7 +227,9 @@ func (csp *impl) KeyDeriv(k bccsp.Key, opts bccsp.KeyDerivOpts) (dk bccsp.Key, e
 		case *bccsp.HMACTruncated256AESDeriveKeyOpts:
 			hmacOpts := opts.(*bccsp.HMACTruncated256AESDeriveKeyOpts)
 
-			hmacedKey := &aesPrivateKey{primitives.HMACAESTruncated(aesK.k, hmacOpts.Argument()), false}
+			mac := hmac.New(csp.conf.hashFunction, aesK.k)
+			mac.Write(hmacOpts.Argument())
+			hmacedKey := &aesPrivateKey{mac.Sum(nil)[:csp.conf.aesBitLength], false}
 
 			// If the key is not Ephemeral, store it.
 			if !opts.Ephemeral() {
@@ -233,7 +246,9 @@ func (csp *impl) KeyDeriv(k bccsp.Key, opts bccsp.KeyDerivOpts) (dk bccsp.Key, e
 
 			hmacOpts := opts.(*bccsp.HMACDeriveKeyOpts)
 
-			hmacedKey := &aesPrivateKey{primitives.HMAC(aesK.k, hmacOpts.Argument()), true}
+			mac := hmac.New(csp.conf.hashFunction, aesK.k)
+			mac.Write(hmacOpts.Argument())
+			hmacedKey := &aesPrivateKey{mac.Sum(nil), true}
 
 			// If the key is not Ephemeral, store it.
 			if !opts.Ephemeral() {
@@ -484,12 +499,16 @@ func (csp *impl) GetKey(ski []byte) (k bccsp.Key, err error) {
 // Hash hashes messages msg using options opts.
 func (csp *impl) Hash(msg []byte, opts bccsp.HashOpts) (hash []byte, err error) {
 	if opts == nil {
-		return primitives.Hash(msg), nil
+		hash := csp.conf.hashFunction()
+		hash.Write(msg)
+		return hash.Sum(nil), nil
 	}
 
 	switch opts.Algorithm() {
 	case bccsp.DefaultHash, bccsp.SHA:
-		return primitives.Hash(msg), nil
+		hash := csp.conf.hashFunction()
+		hash.Write(msg)
+		return hash.Sum(nil), nil
 	default:
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("Algorithm not recognized [%s]", opts.Algorithm())
 	}
@@ -499,12 +518,12 @@ func (csp *impl) Hash(msg []byte, opts bccsp.HashOpts) (hash []byte, err error)
 // If opts is nil then the default hash function is returned.
 func (csp *impl) GetHash(opts bccsp.HashOpts) (h hash.Hash, err error) {
 	if opts == nil {
-		return primitives.NewHash(), nil
+		return csp.conf.hashFunction(), nil
 	}
 
 	switch opts.Algorithm() {
 	case bccsp.SHA, bccsp.DefaultHash:
-		return primitives.NewHash(), nil
+		return csp.conf.hashFunction(), nil
 	default:
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("Algorithm not recognized [%s]", opts.Algorithm())
 	}
diff --git a/core/crypto/bccsp/sw/impl_test.go b/core/crypto/bccsp/sw/impl_test.go
index ea0dcc52cf8..02b000baf2f 100644
--- a/core/crypto/bccsp/sw/impl_test.go
+++ b/core/crypto/bccsp/sw/impl_test.go
@@ -31,6 +31,10 @@ import (
 	"net"
 	"time"
 
+	"crypto/ecdsa"
+	"crypto/elliptic"
+	"crypto/sha256"
+
 	"github.com/hyperledger/fabric/core/crypto/bccsp"
 	"github.com/hyperledger/fabric/core/crypto/bccsp/signer"
 	"github.com/hyperledger/fabric/core/crypto/primitives"
@@ -43,11 +47,10 @@ var (
 
 func getBCCSP(t *testing.T) bccsp.BCCSP {
 	if swBCCSPInstance == nil {
-		primitives.InitSecurityLevel("SHA2", 256)
 		viper.Set("security.bccsp.default.keyStorePath", os.TempDir())
 
 		var err error
-		swBCCSPInstance, err = New()
+		swBCCSPInstance, err = NewDefaultSecurityLevel()
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("Failed initializing key store [%s]", err)
 		}
@@ -418,8 +421,8 @@ func TestECDSAKeyImportFromECDSAPublicKey(t *testing.T) {
 func TestECDSAKeyImportFromECDSAPrivateKey(t *testing.T) {
 	csp := getBCCSP(t)
 
-	// Generate an ECDSA key
-	key, err := primitives.NewECDSAKey()
+	// Generate an ECDSA key, default is P256
+	key, err := ecdsa.GenerateKey(elliptic.P256(), rand.Reader)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Failed generating ECDSA key [%s]", err)
 	}
@@ -752,7 +755,7 @@ func TestHMACKeyDerivOverAES256Key(t *testing.T) {
 func TestAES256KeyImport(t *testing.T) {
 	csp := getBCCSP(t)
 
-	raw, err := primitives.GenAESKey()
+	raw, err := primitives.GetRandomBytes(32)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Failed generating AES key [%s]", err)
 	}
@@ -855,7 +858,10 @@ func TestSHA(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Fatalf("Failed computing SHA [%s]", err)
 		}
 
-		h2 := primitives.Hash(b[:])
+		// Default HASH is SHA2 256
+		hash := sha256.New()
+		hash.Write(b)
+		h2 := hash.Sum(nil)
 
 		if !bytes.Equal(h1, h2) {
 			t.Fatalf("Discrempancy found in HASH result [%x], [%x]!=[%x]", b, h1, h2)
diff --git a/core/crypto/bccsp/sw/raskey.go b/core/crypto/bccsp/sw/raskey.go
index fbb569f418a..11e93aaf285 100644
--- a/core/crypto/bccsp/sw/raskey.go
+++ b/core/crypto/bccsp/sw/raskey.go
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ import (
 	"crypto/x509"
 	"fmt"
 
+	"crypto/sha256"
+
 	"github.com/hyperledger/fabric/core/crypto/bccsp"
 	"github.com/hyperledger/fabric/core/crypto/primitives"
 )
@@ -38,7 +40,9 @@ func (k *rsaPrivateKey) Bytes() (raw []byte, err error) {
 func (k *rsaPrivateKey) SKI() (ski []byte) {
 	raw := x509.MarshalPKCS1PrivateKey(k.k)
 
-	return primitives.Hash(raw)
+	hash := sha256.New()
+	hash.Write(raw)
+	return hash.Sum(nil)
 }
 
 // Symmetric returns true if this key is a symmetric key,
@@ -78,7 +82,9 @@ func (k *rsaPublicKey) SKI() (ski []byte) {
 	raw, _ := primitives.PublicKeyToPEM(k.k, nil)
 	// TODO: Error should not be thrown. Anyway, move the marshalling at initialization.
 
-	return primitives.Hash(raw)
+	hash := sha256.New()
+	hash.Write(raw)
+	return hash.Sum(nil)
 }
 
 // Symmetric returns true if this key is a symmetric key,