Most internet users and techies know the best password management practices by now, but what about encryption keys? They operate similarly but provide another smart protective layer to digital spaces. Keeping them safe requires a little more work than a conventional password. Why should anyone care about encryption key management, and how does one execute best practices?
The Importance of Good Encryption Key Management
Many of the advantages people get with quality password oversight translate to encryption.
Data Security
If hackers can’t access the encryption key, the protected data stays safe. Encryption keys are one of the most accessible forms of higher-end security measures because they eliminate unauthorized access and prevent breaches.
Regulatory Compliance
Compliance organizations and legislation are monitoring companies closely as cyberthreats run rampant. Data integrity is a must, and encryption management signals to these agencies that a brand is taking protective measures seriously.
The International Standards Organization, the General Data Protection Regulation in the EU and the National Institute of Standards and Technology are only a few examples of framework overseers encouraging and demanding encryption safety. Entities like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency also have an outline of best practices, especially for potentially vulnerable cloud infrastructure and connected technologies.
Risk Mitigation
If a person or business has many walls around it, it reduces the risk of hackers poisoning, ransoming, deleting or extricating data. Encryption management is one tool in an arsenal of risk mitigation strategies that keep keys unknown but in constant rotation.
Operational Integrity
Between 30%-45% of corporate digital assets exist unencrypted, leaving windows open for threat actors to steal critical data. Governments, customers and clients start to lose trust in those leaving their data open for the taking. Key management is required to maintain operational accuracy and consistency.
The Best Practices in the Industry
Familiarizing oneself with the critical nature of encryption safety is the first step in understanding why these techniques are timeless and effective.
1. Use Strong Key Generation Methods
Using personal information or simple passwords to secure information isn’t advisable, and the same is true for encryption keys. Well-tested algorithms must be behind key generation. Otherwise, its integrity is compromised. Countless software solutions and hardware security modules (HSMs) are available to assist with key generation in protected digital spaces.
2. Implement Key Rotation Policies
Key refreshes should occur often. Implement automated reminders and updates for keys to expire, prompting the generation of new ones. These alerts are the perfect time to reference updated cybersecurity protocols. There may be new research or guidance on constructing a better encryption key that renders old methods obsolete.
3. Limit Key Access and Use Role-Based Access Control
During a data breach, it’s more straightforward to discover who caused it and where from if only a handful of individuals have the authority to use the encryption key. This is called role-based access control.
Restrict access as much as possible so only those who absolutely need the data can access it. Nobody should have the key as a just-in-case measure. Instead, these individuals should have the contact information of those with access, and they can unlock whatever data needs accessing. The structure also prevents some insider threats or social engineering attempts.
Zero-trust architecture is another pillar in access limitations. If teams authenticate every access request into a protected network, it should deter unwanted guests. Only certain individuals are responsible for letting people in, which prohibits everyone else from seeing or using data in unauthorized ways.
4. Secure Key Storage
People are the first line of defense in encryption key storage. However, this should pair with an equally robust digital vault. HSMs and key management systems from reliable third-party providers offer many answers to storage woes. Keys should never be in rudimentary plaintext files or hardcoded to prevent modifications if necessary.
5. Audit and Monitor Key Usage
Cybersecurity leaders and analysts should establish a plan to review encryption key usage frequency and breach attempts regularly. They should note the most critical vulnerabilities and take action to mend gaps. Maintaining key logs and training employees to use them correctly is crucial for establishing these best practices.
Audits are also an ideal time to review the schedule for creating, rotating and deleting keys. People with access should question how well the cycle works and if others should be added or removed from the authorization list. Times may vary based on the encryption key type, such as a data-at-rest key or data-in-transit key.
Safety Is Key
The landscape demands more than a strong password these days. Keys are a critical component of more advanced cybersecurity hygiene measures. Using these best practices will safeguard encryption keys on a personal and industry level. Staying educated on these techniques and leading recommendations as they update will make digital assets better defended.
As the Features Editor at ReHack, Zac Amos writes about cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and other tech topics. He is a frequent contributor to Brilliance Security Magazine.
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