Key Management and Protection

Private key security fundamentally underpins the entire SSL/TLS security model. Compromised private keys allow attackers to impersonate your servers, decrypt traffic, and completely bypass certificate security. Establish robust key management practices from generation through retirement. Use cryptographically secure random number generators for key creation. Generate keys on secure systems isolated from production traffic. Never reuse private keys across certificates or servers.

Implement access controls limiting private key exposure. File system permissions should restrict key access to necessary service accounts. Avoid storing keys in version control systems, configuration management databases, or backup systems without encryption. Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) provide superior key protection for high-value certificates, ensuring keys never exist in extractable form. Cloud key management services offer similar protection with easier integration.

Key rotation strategies balance security with operational complexity. Regular rotation limits exposure duration if keys are compromised but requires coordinated certificate updates. Annual rotation aligns with typical certificate renewal cycles. More frequent rotation provides better security but increases management overhead. Critical systems might benefit from quarterly rotation while less sensitive systems accept annual cycles. Document rotation schedules and procedures in your certificate runbooks.

Secure key backup and recovery procedures ensure business continuity without compromising security. Encrypt backup keys using separate encryption keys stored securely. Implement split knowledge or dual control for critical key recovery. Test recovery procedures regularly to ensure they function when needed. Consider key escrow services for critical certificates, ensuring recovery capabilities if primary key storage fails. Balance availability requirements with security in your backup strategies.