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Security Fundamentals & Crypto · Intermediate

Key Lifecycle

Stages a cryptographic key passes through: generation, distribution, storage, use, rotation, archival, and destruction.

Definition

NIST SP 800-57 describes key states including pre-activation, active, suspended, deactivated, compromised, and destroyed. Each stage requires controls appropriate to the key's purpose and sensitivity. Cryptoperiods limit how long a key may be used.

Example

A data encryption key is generated in an HSM, used for one year, deactivated, kept for decryption only, and destroyed after seven years.

Exam tip

Know the stages and that keys should have defined cryptoperiods.

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