How can you properly destroy encryption keys when no longer needed in the cloud?

Data destruction in the cloud is a critical security control to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information. The importance lies in securing and properly disposing of data when it is no longer needed. Unauthorized access to improperly destroyed data in the cloud can occur through forensic tools extracting data from a cloud service provider's hard drives, encountering remnants of data from another tenant, exploiting insider privileges, or recovering data from backups.

Encryption keys are essential for securing information during storage and transmission, and their compromise could lead to unauthorized access. By promptly and securely destroying encryption keys that are no longer required, organizations mitigate the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to confidential information. This practice aligns with the principle of minimizing the attack surface, reducing the window of opportunity for potential adversaries. Additionally, it ensures compliance with data protection regulations that mandate the secure management of cryptographic keys.

Destroying encryption keys in the cloud is a security measure to protect sensitive data. When data is encrypted, it is encoded in a way that requires a specific key to decrypt and access the original information. Deleting or destroying encryption keys ensures that even if unauthorized access occurs, the encrypted data remains unreadable without the necessary key. This practice is particularly important when managing sensitive or confidential information in cloud environments. When data is no longer needed or when there is a security concern, intentionally destroying the encryption keys adds an extra layer of protection, mitigating the risk of unauthorized access to the encrypted data.

There is always a debate whether to destroy such keys or persist. Considering threat vectors viz., insider threats, unauthz access, etc., compromises everything in the system. On the other hand, what if destroying/overriding keys is not handled properly by the services. In such case, should x threshold versions of data be persisted securely, so that systems can recover.

Destroy encryption keys in the cloud when you want to permanently make encrypted data inaccessible. Common scenarios include data deletion, end of the data lifecycle, security incidents, user account termination, and compliance requirements.

What if the client is coming to life or making a crypto call for an older key after a very long time. Two ways to look at it : 1. Client should frequently poll to get the newer key versions and operate accordingly 2. There should be a break-glass approach to help client recover

Crypto shredding, also known as cryptographic erasure or key shredding, involves securely deleting sensitive data by destroying the cryptographic keys used to encrypt it,crypto shredding is a good practice for destroying encryption keys that are not in use. By securely deleting the cryptographic keys, we can ensure that the encrypted data becomes effectively inaccessible. This is particularly important when decommissioning systems, retiring old encryption keys, or when keys are no longer needed for any reason. Crypto shredding adds an extra layer of security to the process of managing encryption keys and helps prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Destroy encryption keys through secure deletion methods or key rotation, following best practices provided by your cloud service provider.

In AWS, use Key Management Service (KMS) for secure key deletion, employing the ScheduleKeyDeletion API. Enable automatic key rotation and monitor activities through AWS CloudTrail. In Azure, leverage Azure Key Vault for key management, using the portal or REST API for deletion. Enable key rotation and employ Azure Monitor and Security Center for auditing. In GCP, use Key Management Service (KMS) for key deletion with the cryptoKeyVersions.destroy method. Enable automatic key rotation and monitor activities via Cloud Audit Logs.Before initiating key destruction, understanding the risks is crucial, as it involves potential service outages, permanent data loss, and regulatory compliance issues.Always follow the documentation of the CSP.

In OCI, KMS service helps customers to destroy their keys securely. But that doesn't happen instantly and there is a reason for that. What if customer wants to revert its decision of permanent key destruction. Therefore, a grace period/window of 7 days is given to customer with pending deletion key state, before its destroyed permanently.

Destroying encryption keys heightens the risk of irreversible data loss and compromises data protection and privacy. From a GRC perspective, when encryption keys are being destroyed the keys should only be destroyed when stringent policies are in place to protect the organization. If key disposal is not done properly and a misstep occurs, that can lead to compliance breaches that hold legal implications. To ensure that organizational data and privacy is not compromised meticulous key management is imperative!

Properly managing encryption keys in the cloud involves secure key storage and effective key rotation practices. Ensure keys are stored in dedicated, tamper-resistant hardware security modules (HSMs) and implement effective key lifecycle management, including periodic rotation and secure destruction when no longer needed. Regularly audit and update key management policies to align with industry best practices and security standards.