The key management lifecycle encompasses all phases of a cryptographic key's existence -- from generation through distribution, storage, use, rotation, archival, and eventual destruction. Proper key management is the foundation of all cryptographic security; the strongest encryption algorithm is worthless if keys are poorly managed, exposed, or lost.
Key generation requires cryptographically secure random number generators (CSPRNGs) that meet NIST SP 800-90A standards, producing keys with sufficient entropy for the target algorithm. Key distribution uses secure channels such as TLS-wrapped API calls or hardware-based key injection to deliver keys to authorized systems without exposure. Key storage isolates keys from the data they protect, using Hardware Security Modules (HSMs), dedicated key management services (AWS KMS, Azure Key Vault, HashiCorp Vault), or encrypted keystores with strict access controls. Key use policies enforce separation of duties -- operators who manage keys cannot access encrypted data, and vice versa. Key rotation replaces active keys on defined schedules (typically 90-365 days) while maintaining decryption capability for data encrypted under previous versions. Key archival preserves retired keys in secure offline storage for the duration of any data retention requirements. Key destruction uses cryptographic erasure or physical destruction methods that render key material unrecoverable.
NIST SP 800-57 and PCI DSS Requirement 3.5 mandate documented key management procedures. The majority of encryption failures stem not from broken algorithms but from key management deficiencies: hardcoded keys in source code, unrotated keys, keys stored alongside encrypted data, and improper key destruction. A single exposed key can compromise all data encrypted under it, making key management the most critical and most frequently neglected aspect of cryptographic operations.
CDA treats key management as a core Data Protection and Sovereignty discipline spanning C-BUILD through C-DRILL campaigns. Our missions establish key management policies, implement centralized KMS infrastructure, automate rotation schedules, and conduct key management audits aligned with NIST SP 800-57 recommendations.