Let's look into typical challenges that one might face during key management:
- Using single encryption key for all data is dangerous. If a hacker gets access to it, then he will be able to decrypt all the data.
- Furthermore, periodic rotation of encryption keys reduces the chance of keys getting compromised on a longer term.
- There is a term called crypto period, which is basically the duration an encryption key should be used, and this is determined by many factors depending on the sensitivity of data. Some of the factors include:
- How much data is present?
- The sensitivity of the data.
- How much damage is possible if the data is exposed or the key is lost?