Best practices for key storage in key lifecycle management include:
Hardware Security Modules (HSMs): Store cryptographic keys in tamper-resistant HSMs to ensure physical and logical protection. HSMs provide secure key generation, storage, and operations.
Example: A financial institution uses an HSM to securely store and manage encryption keys for customer data.
Key Encryption Keys (KEKs): Encrypt data encryption keys (DEKs) with a separate KEK, which is stored in a secure location like an HSM. This adds a layer of protection.
Example: A cloud service provider encrypts DEKs with a KEK stored in an HSM, ensuring that even if DEKs are compromised, the KEK remains secure.
Access Controls: Implement strict access controls, including role-based access and multi-factor authentication, to limit who can access or manage keys.
Example: A healthcare provider restricts key access to authorized personnel only, using role-based access policies.
Key Rotation and Expiration: Regularly rotate keys and set expiration policies to minimize the risk of key compromise over time.
Example: A messaging app rotates encryption keys every 90 days to enhance security.
Audit Logging: Maintain detailed logs of key access and usage for monitoring and compliance purposes.
Example: An e-commerce platform logs all key access events for auditing and detecting unauthorized attempts.
For secure key storage in cloud environments, Tencent Cloud Key Management Service (KMS) provides HSM-backed key storage, automatic key rotation, and fine-grained access control, ensuring compliance with industry standards like GDPR and HIPAA.