Encryption Technologies - 1.4
Summary
Encryption technologies such as TPM, HSM, KMS, and Secure Enclave provide secure generation, management, and storage of cryptographic keys to protect sensitive data and ensure system integrity.
Notes:
TPM - Trusted Platform Module
A specialized hardware component used for securely generating, storing, and managing cryptographic keys, as well as ensuring platform integrity.
TPM is a chip integrated into endpoint devices that stores cryptographic keys and generates platform integrity measurements to detect unauthorized changes in a system's configuration. It is commonly used for secure boot processes, disk encryption (e.g., BitLocker), device attestation, and to support digital rights management (DRM) technologies. TPMs also enhance authentication processes by storing keys used for multi-factor authentication, thereby protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access.
HSM - Hardware Security Module
Dedicated physical devices used in enterprise environments to generate, store, and manage cryptographic keys securely.
HSMs are used in environments where data security is paramount, such as financial institutions and data centers. They comply with strict standards like FIPS 140-2 to provide high levels of physical and logical security, ensuring that cryptographic keys are protected from unauthorized access and tampering. HSMs are tamper-resistant and can be integrated with Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) systems to handle certificate issuance, making them ideal for banking transactions, certificate authorities, and high-security environments.
Key Management System (KMS)
A combination of hardware and software tools used to manage the entire lifecycle of cryptographic keys, ensuring their secure use and storage.
A Key Management System (KMS) handles the generation, distribution, rotation, storage, and revocation of cryptographic keys. A well-implemented KMS helps organizations maintain control over their keys, ensuring encryption strategies remain effective and sensitive data stays secure. Key management systems can be deployed on-premises or via cloud services and integrate with other security tools for policy enforcement. Many KMS solutions enforce role-based access control (RBAC) and automated auditing to track key access and usage, which is especially important in regulated industries.
Secure Enclave
A secure, isolated environment within a device's processor used to store and process sensitive data, including cryptographic keys, independently from the main operating system.
Secure Enclaves are isolated environments within a device's processor designed to protect sensitive data, such as encryption keys, even if the main operating system is compromised. This technology is often found in consumer devices like smartphones, where it ensures that critical data—such as biometric information for Touch ID or Face ID—is protected from unauthorized access. Secure Enclaves, like Intel SGX, use hardware-based encryption and access control to guard against both software attacks and physical tampering.