Cryptographic Key Rotation Without Disruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cloud-based computing environments, securely rotating cryptographic keys is challenging due to the difficulty in safely and securely storing these keys, which is essential for maintaining data security and compliance with data-security regulations.
Innovation Solution
A cryptographic application generates a transitional key by encrypting the current key with a system key, temporarily storing it in non-volatile storage during rotation, and enables a new key to be activated by key holders using keying data and activation passwords, ensuring continuous cryptographic operations without disrupting service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cryptographic keys are frequently rotated to maintain data security, then data security is improved, but the difficulty of securely storing and managing keys in cloud-based computing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The key management process is segmented into distinct phases: current key storage in volatile memory, transitional key generation and storage in non-volatile storage, and new key activation. This segmentation allows each phase to be managed securely with appropriate storage mechanisms, reducing overall management complexity while maintaining security through frequent rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
A transitional cryptographic key serves as an intermediary between the current key and the new key during rotation. This intermediary key enables secure key transitions by allowing the system to move from one key to another without exposing either key directly, thus maintaining security while simplifying the rotation process.
2Reliability
If cryptographic keys are stored in non-volatile storage for security, then key security is improved, but the ability to quickly recover and reactivate keys is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Transitional keys are generated and stored in non-volatile storage in advance before they are needed. This preliminary action ensures that when key recovery is needed, the transitional keys are already prepared and available, eliminating delays associated with generating new keys during recovery operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the storage parameter of keys based on their state: current keys are maintained in volatile memory for quick access, while transitional keys are stored in non-volatile storage for security and recovery. This parameter change allows the system to optimize both security and recovery speed without compromise.
3Reliability
If cryptographic key rotation is performed frequently, then data security compliance is improved, but operational disruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The key rotation process is designed to maintain continuous cryptographic operations throughout the transition. By using transitional keys that bridge the current and new keys, the system ensures that encryption and decryption operations can continue uninterrupted, maintaining productivity while achieving compliance through frequent key rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
Transitional keys are prepared in advance and stored in non-volatile storage before the rotation is complete. This preliminary preparation allows the system to switch to new keys without disrupting ongoing operations, as the transitional keys are already in place to handle any operations that occur during the transition period.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are directed towards enabling cryptographic key management without disrupting cryptographic operations. Embodiments may be employed to generate cryptographic keys based on at least one key parameter that may be provided by an administrator. The administrator may generate key managers and key request users that may be linked to particular cryptographic keys. The cryptographic keys may be stored on key exchange servers separate from the key management server. Responsive to a request for a cryptographic key, the key exchange servers may authenticate the key request user associated with the request. The key request may be validated based on at least one key parameter and a portion of the key request. The key exchange server may generate the requested cryptographic keys providing them to the key request user over the network.