IT Infrastructure

The Top 5 Encryption Key Management Software

Discover the top encryption key management software with features like centralized key storage, automated key rotation, and hardware security module (HSM) integration.

The Top 5 Encryption Key Management Software include:
  • 1. AWS Key Management Service
  • 2. Azure Key Vault
  • 3. Google Cloud Key Management
  • 4. HashiCorp Vault
  • 5. Thales CipherTrust Cloud Key Management

Encryption key management software plays a crucial role in maintaining the security and integrity of sensitive data by enabling organizations to generate, store, and control the use of cryptographic keys. The adoption of encryption technology has become a vital aspect of data protection. With encryption, organizations can render sensitive data completely illegible to any unauthorized viewers, i.e., anyone without the correct decryption key. 

However, if a threat actor were to get their hands on the decryption key, they could easily decrypt and access that data. This means that encrypted data is only as secure as the keys that are used to encrypt and decrypt it.

For many organizations today, the digital transmission of sensitive data is critical to their everyday operations. However, managing and securing the vast volumes of cryptographic keys needed to transmit that data securely is a highly complex task. Encryption key management software can help solve this challenge by providing organizations with a central system from which they can manage and monitor their encryption key operations at every stage of its lifecycle. This includes key generation, distribution, use, storage, backup, rotation, revocation, and destruction. 

In this article, we’ll explore the top encryption key management software designed to help you maintain the security and integrity of your organization’s cryptographic keys. We’ll highlight the key use cases and features of each solution, including ease of use, scalability, integration capabilities, regulatory compliance, and support for various encryption algorithms.   

AWS Logo

AWS Key Management Service (AWS KMS) is a managed solution that allows the creation, management, and control of cryptographic keys across applications and various AWS services. It offers digital signing of data, encryption within applications using AWS Encryption SDK, and generates and verifies message authentication codes (MACs).

AWS KMS utilizes hardware security modules (HSM) for the protection and validation of KMS keys in compliance with the FIPS 140-2 Cryptographic Module Validation Program. It integrates with numerous AWS services that encrypt data and with AWS CloudTrail, which logs KMS key usage for auditing, regulatory, and compliance requirements. Users can create and manage symmetric and asymmetric KMS keys, control access to keys with key policies (such as IAM policies) as well as enabling attribute-based access control (ABAC).

Aliases, or friendly names for KMS keys, can be created, deleted, and listed, to allow for more nuanced access control. KMS keys can also be tagged for identification, automation, and cost tracking, as well as enabling and disabling automatic rotation of cryptographic material. Users have more control over access to encrypted data, whether they write applications for AWS or use AWS services integrated with AWS KMS.

AWS Logo
Azure logo

Azure Key Vault is a cloud-based service designed to safeguard cryptographic keys and other secrets utilized by cloud applications and services. It offers increased security and control over keys and passwords through the use of FIPS 140-2 Level 2 and Level 3 validated Hardware Security Modules (HSMs). Azure Key Vault allows users to create and import encryption keys within minutes, while reducing latency thanks to its cloud scale and global redundancy.

One of the main benefits of Azure Key Vault is its ability to enhance data protection and compliance without requiring users to manage the associated hardware and software. Users maintain control over their keys via a centralized key management console, granting permissions to applications as needed. Applications do not have direct access to keys, and Azure logging enables users to monitor and audit key usage, integrating logs into Azure HDInsight or security information and event management (SIEM) solutions for further analysis and threat detection.

In terms of performance, Azure Key Vault improves the speed of cloud applications by storing cryptographic keys in the cloud, as opposed to on-premises. This approach allows Key Vault to scale efficiently and meet the peak demand of cloud applications without the expense of deploying dedicated HSMs. Additionally, it supports global redundancy by provisioning vaults in Azure global data centers, providing users with an added layer of durability by keeping a copy of their keys in their own HSMs.

Azure logo
Google Logo

Google Cloud Key Management is a cloud-hosted service that allows businesses to manage cryptographic keys for cloud services, in the same way that they would manage keys on-premises. The platform allows users to generate, use, rotate, and destroy various cryptographic keys including AES256, RSA 2048, RSA 3072, RSA 4096, EC P256, and EC P384.

Google Cloud Key Management offers easy switching between software- and hardware-protected encryption keys. With FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validated hardware security modules (HSMs), organizations can securely host encryption keys and perform cryptographic operations without worrying about managing an HSM cluster. For enhanced security, Google Cloud Key Management supports external keys with its External Key Manager (EKM) feature. This allows users to store and manage encryption keys in third-party key management systems outside Google’s infrastructure.

In addition to these features, Google Cloud Key Management includes Key Access Justifications that provide visibility over each request for an encryption key, a justification for the request, and the ability to approve or deny decryption. This control over data access ensures compliance, privacy, and security, and is backed by Google’s integrity commitments.

Google Logo
Hashicorp

HashiCorp Vault is a comprehensive identity-based security solution that enables organizations to automate authentication and authorization for sensitive data access. Vault securely stores, manages, and distributes secrets, certificates, and keys, while offering data protection both in-transit and at rest.

HashiCorp Vault’s features include static secret management, namespace creation for secure multi-tenancy, support for various authentication methods, and integration with trusted identity providers. Its cryptographic services include public key infrastructure, key lifecycle management, encryption as a service, and transparent data encryption. Vault also streamlines tasks such as certificate rotation, data encryption and decryption, generating hashes and HMACs, and data masking for sensitive information like credit card numbers and banking details.

Vault also offers dynamic secrets for risk reduction, high availability and performance replication for disaster recovery, and customizable access control policies. Its capability to consolidate credentials and manage secrets across multiple cloud service providers further enhances its functionality. HashiCorp Vault also integrates with other HashiCorp products, such as Terraform, Boundary, and Consul, allowing for seamless expansion of secrets management and security.

Hashicorp
Thales Logo

Thales CipherTrust Cloud Key Management (CCKM) is a versatile solution for managing native, Bring Your Own Key (BYOK), and Hold Your Own Key (HYOK) cloud keys across multiple cloud platforms, regions, and accounts. CCKM centralizes key management in a single browser window, enabling users to have better control and visibility of their cloud security.

CCKM offers a single-pane-of-glass approach, making it easier for organizations to understand and monitor how workloads across different clouds are protected. The solution ensures strong encryption key security by leveraging CipherTrust Manager, Luna Network HSM, or the Vormetric Data Security Manager (DSM). It supports various HYOK offerings, such as AWS External Key Store (XKS), Google Cloud External Key Management (EKM), Google EKM Ubiquitous Data Encryption (UDE), and Salesforce Cached Keys. To streamline compliance, CCKM provides visibility reports to demonstrate regulatory compliance for critical workloads.

The platform also integrates with syslog servers and SIEM tools to centralize log monitoring. CCKM’s capabilities are available through RESTful APIs, allowing users to integrate the solution with their automation and self-service initiatives. Thales CCKM offers flexible deployment options for diverse environments, including public, private, and hybrid clouds, as well as physical appliances and cloud-based subscription services. With CCKM, organizations can manage and control access to encryption keys across supported cloud platforms, regardless of the deployment environment.

Thales Logo
The Top 5 Encryption Key Management Software