The Role of Key Management in Database Encryption

Ensuring Secure Access

Encryption key management is the administration of tasks related to the generation, distribution, storage, and destruction of encryption keys. These tasks are critical for the security of encrypted data, as the strength of the encryption is only as strong as the protection of the keys. This article will discuss the importance of encryption key management and the various methods used to secure encryption keys.

The first step in encryption key management is key generation. This is the process of creating unique keys that will be used to encrypt and decrypt data. The keys should be generated using a secure method, such as a cryptographic algorithm, to ensure they are truly random and unique. It is important to note that the keys should be generated in a way that ensures they cannot be easily guessed or cracked by an attacker.

Once the keys have been generated, they must be distributed to the parties who will be using them. This is typically done through a secure communication channel, such as a VPN or an encrypted email. The keys should be sent to the intended recipients and never be shared with unauthorized parties.

Once the keys have been distributed, they must be securely stored. This is typically done by storing the keys in a secure location, such as a hardware security module (HSM) or a secure key management system (SKMS). The keys should be protected with a strong password or passphrase and should be regularly backed up to ensure that they can be recovered in the event of a disaster.

Key Management in The Industry

In practical applications, encryption key management is often implemented using a key management system (KMS). A KMS is a software or hardware system that is designed specifically for the management of encryption keys.

As mentioned before, a hardware security module is a common type of KMS. An HSM is a physical device that is used to store and manage encryption keys. It typically includes tamper-proof hardware and is designed to protect the keys from unauthorized access, even if the device itself is compromised. HSMs are commonly used in financial and government organizations to secure sensitive data.

Back to the SKMS, it typically includes a web-based interface and can be easily integrated with other systems. SKMS is commonly used in enterprise environments, such as data centres, to manage large numbers of encryption keys.

Cloud-based key management services are also increasingly popular. These services are hosted by a third-party provider, allowing organisations to manage their encryption keys in a cloud environment. This can be especially useful for organizations with many remote users or needing to access encrypted data from multiple locations.

In addition to these key management systems, many encryption solutions also include built-in key management functionality. For example, full-disk encryption software often includes managing encryption keys for the entire disk. Similarly, many email encryption solutions include managing encryption keys for email messages.

In all these cases, it is important to comply with industry standards and regulations, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), to ensure that the encryption keys are managed securely and that the encrypted data remains protected.

In summary, encryption key management is essential for securing encrypted data and can be implemented using various methods, including key management systems, hardware security modules, software-based key management systems, cloud-based key management services, and encryption solutions with built-in key management functionality.

After all, encryption key management includes key destruction. This is the process of securely destroying the keys when they are no longer needed. This can be done by overwriting the key data multiple times or by physically destroying the storage media on which the keys were stored.

Encryption key management is an essential component of data security. It involves the generation, distribution, storage, and destruction of encryption keys to protect them from unauthorized access. Organisations can ensure that their encrypted data remains secure by following best practices for encryption key management.

About Vaultree

Vaultree has developed the world’s first Fully Functional Data-in-Use Encryption solution that solves the industry’s fundamental security issue: persistent data encryption, even in the event of a leak. Vaultree enables enterprises, including those in the financial services and healthcare / pharmaceutical sectors, to mitigate the great financial, cyber, legal, and business risk of a data breach in plain text. With Vaultree, organisations process, search, and compute ubiquitous data at scale, without ever having to surrender encryption keys or decrypt server-side. If a leak occurs, Vaultree’s data-in-use encryption persists, rendering the data unusable to bad actors. Integrating Vaultree into existing database technologies is seamless, requiring no technology or platform changes. Vaultree is a privately held company based in Ireland and the U.S.

For more information, please visit www.vaultree.com