Key Management Service (KMS) boasts the following advantages over traditional key management infrastructure (KMI): integration with multiple services, ease of use, high reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
Integration with multiple services
Authentication and access control
KMS authenticates requests by using AccessKey pairs. In addition, KMS is integrated with Resource Access Management (RAM), which allows you to configure a variety of custom policies to meet the authorization requirements of different scenarios. KMS accepts only requests that are initiated by authorized users and pass the dynamic permission checks of RAM. For more information, see Custom permission policies.
Auditing of key usage
KMS is integrated with ActionTrail. This allows you to view recent KMS usage and store KMS usage information in other Alibaba Cloud services, such as Object Storage Service (OSS), to meet audit requirements in the long term. For more information, see Use ActionTrail to query KMS event logs.
Data encryption for integrated services
KMS is integrated with multiple Alibaba Cloud services such as Elastic Compute Service (ECS), ApsaraDB RDS, and OSS. You can use keys in KMS to encrypt and control data of the integrated services in an efficient manner. You need to only manage the keys instead of performing complex encryption operations. In addition, KMS also protects native data of the integrated services. For more information, see Overview of integration with KMS and Alibaba Cloud services that can be integrated with KMS.
Ease of use
Simple implementation
KMS provides cryptographic API operations that enable you to encrypt and decrypt data in a simplified manner, which frees you from complicated and abstract cryptography.
Centralized key management
BYOK
KMS supports the Bring Your Own Key (BYOK) feature. You can import keys to KMS from external systems such as on-premises KMI. Then, you can use the keys to encrypt data in Alibaba Cloud services or use the keys for your self-managed applications and systems.
Note
KMS adopts secure and compliant key exchange algorithms to ensure that operators or third parties cannot view keys in plaintext.
High reliability, availability, and scalability
KMS delivers redundant cryptographic computing capabilities across multiple zones in each region. This ensures that Alibaba Cloud services and your self-managed applications can send requests to KMS at low latencies. You can upgrade specifications of KMS based on your business requirements.
KMS instances use dual-zone deployment with load balancing to achieve minute-level recovery time objective (RTO). This configuration ensures active-active compute instances across zones for optimal resource use and high service availability. To enable a KMS instance, you must select two zones in the same virtual private cloud (VPC). The following figure shows the architecture.
Note
By default, each KMS instance is equipped with at least two compute instances. Additional instances can be added to meet the demands of higher availability and improved performance.
Security and compliance
KMS offers high-level protection for your keys. The security design and strict verification processes are implemented during the development of KMS.
KMS provides only TLS-based secure channels for access and uses only secure cipher suites for transmission. KMS complies with security standards such as Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).
KMS supports cryptographic facilities that are verified and certified by regulators. Cloud Hardware Security Module of Alibaba Cloud offers hardware security modules (HSMs) that comply with Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) Publication 140-2 Level 3. You can integrate KMS with Cloud Hardware Security Module of Alibaba Cloud. This way, you can use the clusters of HSMs that are deployed in Cloud Hardware Security Module to manage keys and perform cryptographic operations. For more information about Cloud Hardware Security Module, see What is Data Encryption Service?
Cost-effectiveness
You do not need to invest in hardware cryptographic devices, such as the purchase, operations, repair, and replacement of hardware cryptographic devices.
If you use KMS, you do not need to deploy highly available and reliable HSM clusters or pay for R&D and maintenance for self-managed KMI.
KMS is integrated with other Alibaba Cloud services to eliminate the R&D overheads of a data encryption system. You need to only manage keys to achieve controllable data encryption on the cloud.
FAQs
KMS provides cryptographic API operations that enable you to encrypt and decrypt data in a simplified manner, which frees you from complicated and abstract cryptography. You can create keys on demand and manage access from users and applications to the keys by using RAM and application access points (AAPs).
What is the purpose of the KMS key? ›
You can use a KMS key to encrypt, decrypt, and re-encrypt data.
What is the purpose of KMS? ›
Key Management Service is used to encrypt data in AWS. The main purpose of the AWS KMS is to store and manage those encryption keys. Data encryption is vital if you have sensitive data that must not be accessed by unauthorized users. Implement data encryption for both data at rest and data in transit.
What is the purpose of the key management system? ›
KMS refers to the management of cryptographic keys in a cryptosystem that deals with the generation, exchange, storage, use, destruction and replacement of keys. It enhances the security of smart cards.
Why is KMS needed? ›
When you encrypt data, you need to protect your encryption key. If you encrypt your key, you need to protect its encryption key. Eventually, you must protect the highest level encryption key (known as a root key) in the hierarchy that protects your data. That's where AWS KMS comes in.
What happens if KMS key is deleted? ›
After a KMS key is deleted, you can no longer decrypt the data that was encrypted under that KMS key, which means that data becomes unrecoverable. (The only exceptions are multi-Region replica keys and asymmetric and HMAC KMS keys with imported key material.)
What happens when you disable a KMS key? ›
If you disable a KMS key, it cannot be used in any cryptographic operation until you re-enable it. Because it's temporary and easily undone, disabling a KMS key is a safe alternative to deleting a KMS key, an action that is destructive and irreversible.
What is the benefit of KMS? ›
A KMS is important for your business because it can provide necessary educational information for internal staff and customers alike. It creates a self-service solution to share knowledge. This ultimately leads to more productive employees and happier, better-informed customers.
What are the benefits of KMS server? ›
Key Management Service:Benefits. Key Management Service (KMS) boasts the following advantages over traditional key management infrastructure (KMI): integration with multiple services, ease of use, high reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
What is the goal of KMS? ›
Key objectives of Knowledge Management System are:
To enable employees to mutually collaborate for effective & quick problem solving. To create & share knowledge as a product through systemic data analysis, to be able to further acquire core knowledge and enhance governance.
KMS provides cryptographic API operations that enable you to encrypt and decrypt data in a simplified manner, which frees you from complicated and abstract cryptography. You can create keys on demand and manage access from users and applications to the keys by using RAM and application access points (AAPs).
What is an advantage of a key system? ›
By implementing a master key system with locks containing key cylinders, organizations can control access to different areas within their property, preventing unauthorized entry and safeguarding valuable assets.
What is the goal of key management? ›
The primary goal of key management is to protect sensitive data by ensuring that cryptographic keys are handled securely throughout their lifecycle. This involves making sure that keys are strong, securely distributed, stored safely, rotated regularly, and securely deleted when no longer needed.
What are KMS keys used for? ›
AWS Key Management Service (KMS) gives you centralized control over the cryptographic keys used to protect your data. The service is integrated with other AWS services making it easier to encrypt data you store in these services and control access to the keys that decrypt it.
What is the main function of KMS? ›
It's the process of capturing, storing, sharing, and managing an organization's collective knowledge: explicit, implicit, and tacit. The main goal of Knowledge Management is to retain information that's important to a business or organization, thus improving efficiency and productivity.
What does KMS for? ›
KMS is an acronym that means “kill myself.” Related, there is “KYS” which stands for “kill yourself.” It's not always used literally, as Gen Z is known to joke about mental health struggles.
What is KMS activation key? ›
KMS (Key Management Service) is one of the methods to activate Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office. Activation ensures that the software is obtained from and licensed by Microsoft. KMS is used by volume license customers, usually medium to large businesses, schools, and non-profits.
What is the difference between KMS key and secret key? ›
AWS KMS returns a plaintext data key and a copy of that data key encrypted under the KMS key. Secrets Manager uses the plaintext data key and the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) algorithm to encrypt the secret value outside of AWS KMS.
What is the difference between KMS key and Mac key? ›
Either or both key types can be used by customers to activate systems in their organization: Key Management Service (KMS) allows organizations to activate systems within their own network. Multiple Activation Key (MAK) activates systems on a one-time basis, using Microsoft hosted activation services.
How do I know where my KMS key is used? ›
Examining AWS CloudTrail logs to determine actual usage
All AWS KMS API activity is recorded in AWS CloudTrail log files. If you have created a CloudTrail trail in the region where your KMS key is located, you can examine your CloudTrail log files to view a history of all AWS KMS API activity for a particular KMS key.
