Guide: AWS Customer Master Key (CMK) - Importance, Function & Exam Tips
Why is it important:
The AWS Customer Master Key (CMK) is crucial for securing your applications and sensitive data. It is a logical representation of a master key which is used to encrypt and decrypt up to 4 KB of data and to generate, encrypt, and decrypt the data keys. Ensuring the secure management of these keys, therefore, is fundamentally significant.
What is it:
AWS Customer Master Key (CMK) is a service offered by AWS to control encryption key management centrally. It is a cryptographic key stored securely in AWS Key Management Service (KMS) hardware security modules (HSMs).
How it works:
When an application requests AWS to perform an encryption or decryption function, the request is redirected to the KMS. The Customer Master Key is then used to either facilitate decryption or encryption of data keys, key material import, or generate data keys.
Exam tips - Answering questions on Customer Master Key:
1. Understand the core functionalities of CKM, such as encryption, decryption, and the generation of data keys.
2. Familiarize yourself with AWS KMS's high-level security provisions such as hardware isolated key storage.
3. Make sure you're aware of how to rotate, disable, and re-enable CMKs.
4. Discover how AWS audits CMK usage using AWS CloudTrail.
5. Remember that CMKs are never exported from the KMS by AWS (so if you see this on a test, it's a trick question!).
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Customer Master Key practice test
A Customer Master Key (CMK) is a logical representation of a master key in AWS KMS. It can be used to encrypt and decrypt data, as well as to generate and manage data keys. CMKs can be created either by the AWS KMS service or by the customer themselves. When a customer creates a CMK, they have full control over its use, including the ability to enable key rotation, manage access policies, and audit key usage. CMKs can be stored in AWS KMS or imported from an external source.
Time: 5 minutes Questions: 5
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AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate Preparation Package (2024)
- 3215 Superior-grade AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate practice questions.
- Accelerated Mastery: Deep dive into critical topics to fast-track your mastery.
- Unlock Effortless AWS Certified Solutions Architect preparation: 5 full exams.
- 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed: Full refund with no questions if unsatisfied.
- Bonus: If you upgrade now you get upgraded access to all courses
- Risk-Free Decision: Start with a 7-day free trial - get premium features at no cost!