AWS Security: Key Management & Rotation

1. Introduction

Key management and rotation are crucial components of AWS Security. AWS provides services like AWS Key Management Service (KMS) to create and manage cryptographic keys securely. This lesson covers key concepts, processes, and best practices for managing and rotating keys in AWS.

2. Key Management

Key management involves the creation, storage, distribution, and retirement of cryptographic keys. In AWS, key management is primarily handled through AWS KMS.

Key Concepts

**Symmetric Key**: A single key used for both encryption and decryption.
**Asymmetric Key**: A pair of keys (public and private) used for encryption and decryption.
**Key Policies**: Define permissions for the use of KMS keys.

Creating a Key in AWS KMS

To create a key using AWS CLI, you can use the following command:

aws kms create-key --description "My KMS Key" --key-usage ENCRYPT_DECRYPT

3. Key Rotation

Key rotation is the process of changing the keys used for cryptographic operations. AWS allows automatic key rotation for KMS keys.

Automatic Key Rotation

You can enable automatic key rotation for your AWS KMS keys. By default, AWS KMS automatically rotates keys every 12 months.

Enabling Key Rotation

To enable automatic key rotation for a KMS key, you can use the following AWS CLI command:

aws kms enable-key-rotation --key-id

4. Best Practices

Regularly rotate keys to limit exposure.
Use IAM policies to restrict access to keys.
Monitor key usage with AWS CloudTrail.
Implement a key retirement process for old keys.

5. FAQ

What is AWS KMS?

AWS KMS is a managed service that makes it easy to create and control the cryptographic keys used to encrypt your data.

How often should I rotate my keys?

It is recommended to rotate keys at least once a year, or whenever there is a change in personnel or system architecture.

Can I disable a KMS key?

Yes, you can disable a KMS key, but note that a disabled key cannot be used for encryption or decryption until it is enabled again.

Key Management Flowchart


            graph TD;
                A[Start] --> B{Is Key Needed?};
                B -- Yes --> C[Create Key];
                B -- No --> D[Wait];
                C --> E[Key Management];
                E --> F[Rotate Key];
                F --> B;