What is Key Management in Information Security?


Key management define as managing cryptographic keys within a cryptosystem. It can manage with generating, exchanging, saving, using and replacing keys as required at the user level.

A key management system will also contains key servers, user process and protocols, including cryptographic protocol design. The security of the cryptosystem is based upon successful key management.

Cryptographic keys play an essential role in protecting sensitive data, avoiding data breaches, and understanding with regulations. Unfortunately, a lost or stolen key can lead to costly losses of systems and information, which is each security-aware company should provide strong key management protocols.

Encryption key management is a group of practices and rules that provide the secured use of cryptographic keys. Proper management provides a key stays secure throughout its lifecycle, from generation and use to saving and deletion.

A cryptographic key is a document that include a string of letters and numbers that can encrypt and decrypt information when processed by a crypto algorithm. The main objective of key management is to maintain these files away from unauthorized users and systems.

Key Management is the procedure of putting specific standards in place to provide the security of cryptographic keys in an organization. Key Management manage with the generation, exchange, storage, deletion, and updating of keys. They also manage with the members access of the keys.

Key management forms the basis of all information security. Data is encrypted and decrypted through the use of encryption keys, which define the loss or compromise of any encryption key would invalidate the information security measures establish into place. Keys also provide the secure transmission of information across an Internet connection.

With authentication methods, such as code signing, attackers can pretend to be a trusted service such as Microsoft, while providing victim’s computers malware, if they steal a poorly secured key.

Keys support compliance with specific standards and regulations to provide companies are using best practices when securing cryptographic keys and well protected keys are only applicable by users who require them.

Key management servers (KMS) are used to administer the complete lifecycle of cryptographic keys and secure them from loss or misuse. KMS solutions, and other key management technology, directly control the generation, management, storage, archival, and removal of encryption keys.

Moreover, it can completely protect their loss or misuse, companies should limit access to these keys, either by defining physical access or ruling user access by generating clear and defined roles.

The proper management of cryptographic keys is important to the efficient use of cryptography for security. Keys are similar to the combination of a safe. If a safe combination is called an adversary, the strongest safe supports no security against penetration. Likewise, poor key management can simply compromise strong algorithms.

Updated on: 14-Mar-2022

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