What are the requirements for key generation in key lifecycle management?

Key generation is a critical step in key lifecycle management, requiring adherence to security, randomness, and compliance standards. Here are the key requirements:

1. Cryptographic Strength: Keys must be generated using secure algorithms (e.g., AES, RSA, ECC) with sufficient key lengths (e.g., 256-bit AES, 2048-bit RSA).
2. True Randomness: Keys should be derived from cryptographically secure random number generators (CSPRNGs) to prevent predictability.
3. Key Length: The length must align with the security policy and algorithm requirements (e.g., 128-bit for symmetric keys, 2048-bit for RSA).
4. Uniqueness: Each key must be unique to avoid reuse, which could lead to vulnerabilities.
5. Compliance: Key generation must follow industry standards (e.g., NIST SP 800-133, FIPS 140-2/3) and regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).
6. Secure Environment: Keys should be generated in a trusted, isolated environment (e.g., Hardware Security Module, HSM) to prevent tampering.

Example: A financial service provider generates 256-bit AES keys using a CSPRNG within an HSM to encrypt customer transactions.

For secure key generation, Tencent Cloud Key Management Service (KMS) provides a compliant, HSM-backed solution to create and manage cryptographic keys, ensuring randomness and security.