What is Encryption Key Management? (2024)

FAQs

What is Encryption Key Management? ›

Encryption key management is the administration of policies and procedures for protecting, storing, organizing, and distributing encryption keys. Encryption keys (also called cryptographic keys) are the strings of bits generated to encode and decode data and voice transmissions.

An encryption key management system includes generation, exchange, storage, use, destruction and replacement of encryption keys.

There are different types of encryption techniques, but the following three are the most common and widely used: Symmetric Encryption, Asymmetric Encryption, and Hashing.

An encryption key is typically a random string of bits generated specifically to scramble and unscramble data. Encryption keys are created with algorithms designed to ensure that each key is unique and unpredictable. The longer the key constructed this way, the harder it is to break the encryption code.

You should store your keys in a place that is isolated from the data they protect, and that has restricted access and strong encryption. Some options are hardware security modules (HSMs), cloud key management services (KMSs), or encrypted files or databases.

Keys in early forms of encryption

"Ifmmp" looks like a nonsensical string of letters, but if someone knows the key, they can substitute the proper letters and decrypt the message as "Hello." For this example, the key is (letter) - 1, moving each letter down one spot in the alphabet to arrive at the real letter.

Encryption keys are managed using key management facilities (KMFs) and key fill devices (KFDs). KMFs are secure devices that generate encryption keys, maintain secure databases of keys and securely transmit keys to KFDs.

Despite sharing these characteristics, encryption keys differ from passwords in the following ways: Computer systems use encryption keys to encrypt potentially sensitive data; passwords are used to authenticate system users and grant access to resources on a computer system.

If a cybercriminal finds a vulnerability somewhere along the data transmission path, or by getting their hands on your data encryption keys, your encrypted enterprise data can still be hacked and your systems compromised.

1. Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) The Advanced Encryption Standard is a symmetric encryption algorithm that is the most frequently used method of data encryption globally. Often referred to as the gold standard for data encryption, AES is used by many government bodies worldwide, including in the U.S.

How do I know if my key is encrypted? ›

View the contents of the keyfile by running cat <KeyFileName>. For example, run cat wildcard-2018. key. At the top of the file, if you see Proc-Type: 4, ENCRYPTED, then your keyfile is encrypted (password protected).

Check your device manual for supported encryption protocols. The default encryption key may be located on the bottom of your router or in the manual, depending on the router manufacturer. You can locate the encryption key when you log into the router setup page, if you have created your own encryption key.

One early example of a simple encryption is the “Caesar cipher,” named for Roman emperor Julius Caesar because he used it in his private correspondence. The method is a type of substitution cipher, where one letter is replaced by another letter some fixed number of positions down the alphabet.

"The data owner himself, herself or itself should always handle encryption keys."

In common practice, keys expire and are replaced in a time-frame shorter than the calculated life span of the key. As a key is replaced, the old key is not totally removed, but remains archived so is retrievable under special circ*mstances (e.g., settling disputes involving repudiation).

Crypto-shredding is a data destruction technique that consists in destroying the keys that allow the data to be decrypted, thus making the data undecipherable.

Hardware security modules (HSMs) are hardened, tamper-resistant hardware devices that secure cryptographic processes by generating, protecting, and managing keys used for encrypting and decrypting data and creating digital signatures and certificates.

Attackers looking for sensitive data will go after the keys, as they know that if they get the keys, they can get the data. Keys stored in software can therefore be located and obtained, putting in danger the security of the encrypted data.

Encryption key management is crucial to preventing unauthorized access to sensitive information. (Encryption) Key management is important when dealing with security and privacy protection of the data contained, in order to prevent data loss/breach/contamination and comply with the relevant regulatory requirements.

Key Lifecycle Management includes creating, maintaining, protecting, and deleting cryptographic keys. Keys expire or become vulnerable over a period. Their shelf life decreases because of continuous usage and an increased number of authorized users.