Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standards Practice Test

What is a key characteristic of secure cryptographic key management?

1. Keys should be changed only when the technology is outdated

2. Keys should be easily accessible to all personnel

3. Keys should be changed at the end of their defined crypto period

4. Keys can remain unchanged if the current security is deemed sufficient

The correct answer is: Keys should be changed at the end of their defined crypto period

A key characteristic of secure cryptographic key management is that keys should be changed at the end of their defined crypto period. This practice ensures that keys are regularly updated, which is critical for maintaining the security and integrity of encrypted data. Over time, cryptographic keys can become vulnerable due to advances in technology, the discovery of new vulnerabilities, or simply the increased risk associated with prolonged usage, which can result in potential unauthorized access. Changing keys periodically helps to mitigate these risks by reducing the amount of data encrypted with a single key and limiting the amount of time any particular key is in active use. This is a proactive security measure, as it ensures that even if a key is compromised, the window of opportunity for an attacker is limited. Regular key rotation is a fundamental best practice in cryptography and contributes to the overall security posture of an organization. In contrast, options that suggest keys should change only when technology is outdated or can remain unchanged if current security is deemed sufficient do not account for the dynamic nature of security threats and the necessity for vigilance in key management. Additionally, making keys easily accessible to all personnel risks unauthorized access and increases the likelihood of key compromise, which directly contravenes the principles of secure cryptographic practices.