Framework for Designing Cryptographic Key Management Systems

Book excerpt: This Framework was initiated as a part of the NIST Cryptographic Key Management Workshop. The goal was to define and develop technologies and standards that provide cost-effective security to cryptographic keys that themselves are used to protect computing and information processing applications. A Framework is a description of the components (i.e., building blocks) that can be combined or used in various ways to create a ¿system¿ (e.g., a group of objects working together to perform a vital function). This Framework identifies and discusses the components of a cryptographic key management system (CKMS) and provides requirements for CKMS design specifications conforming to this Framework. Glossary of terms. Illus. A print on demand pub.