This Recommendation provides cryptographic key management guidance. It consists of three
parts. Part 1 provides general guidance and best practices for the management of cryptographic
keying material. Part 2 provides guidance on policy and security planning requirements for U.S.
government agencies. Finally, Part 3 provides guidance when using the cryptographic features of
current systems.
KEY WORDS: archive; assurances; authentication; authorization; availability; backup;
compromise; confidentiality; cryptanalysis; cryptographic key; cryptographic module; digital
signature; hash function; key agreement; key management; key management policy; key
recovery; key transport; originator-usage period; private key; public key; recipient-usage period;
secret key; split knowledge; trust anchor.
