Key Rotation

2 min read

Pronunciation

[kee roh-tey-shuhn]

Analogy

Think of key rotation like changing the locks on your house every year. Even if someone secretly made a copy of your old key, it becomes useless once the locks are changed. This regular updating helps ensure that even if a key's security is somehow weakened over time or unknowingly compromised, the window of opportunity for misuse is limited.

Definition

The practice of periodically replacing old cryptographic keys with new ones. This proactive security measure limits the amount of data protected by a single key and reduces the potential damage if a key is eventually compromised. In the context of , it's more complex for fundamental private keys that directly control funds but can apply to API keys or session keys.

Key Points Intro

Key rotation is a security best practice that involves periodically changing cryptographic keys to minimize risks associated with key compromise.

Key Points

Limits Exposure: Reduces the time a compromised key can be used by an attacker.

Reduces Impact: If a key is compromised, only data or assets protected by that specific key during its active period are at risk.

Proactive Security: Helps mitigate unknown vulnerabilities or weaknesses that might affect a key over time.

Maintains Freshness: Ensures keys are generated with up-to-date algorithms and entropy standards.

Example

A exchange might rotate API keys issued to its users every 90 days. Users are required to generate new API keys to continue accessing trading functions via third-party applications. This limits the potential damage if an old API key is leaked or stolen.

Technical Deep Dive

For private keys that directly control assets (e.g., the corresponding to a holding funds), 'rotation' in the traditional sense (replacing the key for an *existing* ) is not possible, as the is derived from the . Instead, one would create a new (and thus a new ) and transfer funds to it. For other types of keys, like those used for encrypting backup files, API keys for services, or session keys for applications, standard key rotation policies can be applied. This involves generating a new key, re-encrypting data or re-issuing access with the new key, and securely decommissioning the old key.

Security Warning

Key rotation must be managed carefully. Improper rotation can lead to loss of access to encrypted data or services. Securely destroying or archiving old keys according to policy is crucial. For assets, 'rotating' by moving funds to a new incurs .

Caveat

Direct rotation of private keys tied to specific addresses holding assets is generally not feasible without moving the assets to a new generated from a new key. This process can be operationally intensive and incur costs. The benefits of rotation need to be weighed against these complexities for different types of keys.

Related Terms

Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Glossary

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