Key lifecycle management is critically important for IoT security as it ensures the secure generation, distribution, storage, rotation, and revocation of cryptographic keys used in IoT devices and systems. Weak key management can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and compromised device functionality.
For example, if an IoT device's encryption key is hardcoded or never rotated, attackers who discover the key can intercept or manipulate data transmissions. Proper key lifecycle management mitigates this risk by regularly updating keys and revoking compromised ones.
In the context of cloud-based IoT solutions, Tencent Cloud offers Key Management Service (KMS) to securely manage cryptographic keys. It supports automatic key rotation, access control, and audit logging, ensuring compliance with security best practices for IoT deployments. Additionally, Tencent Cloud IoT Hub integrates with KMS to simplify key provisioning and protection for connected devices.