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Key Rotation in AWS KMS - Guide and Exam Tips

What is Key Rotation:
Key Rotation in AWS KMS refers to the act of replacing a cryptographic key with a new one. This concept is critical for improving the security of your data by limiting the amount of time a specific key is active.

Why it is important:
Key rotation is an essential security practice because it limits the time available for a hostile entity to compromise a key and the amount of data encrypted by a single key. It also allows you to meet compliance requirements that demand periodic key rotation.

How it works:
Key rotation in AWS Key Management Service (KMS) works by generating a new AWS managed key for you every year. The earlier versions of the key are retained to decrypt data that they encrypted, but all new data is encrypted using the new version.

Exam Tips - Answering Questions on Key Rotation:
When answering questions on key rotation, remember:
- AWS KMS performs key rotation annually and automatically for AWS managed keys.
- Key rotation does not delete old key versions, ensuring past versions can still decrypt data.
- Key rotation occurs without impacting the applications using the keys.
- AWS provides the option to rotate user-created customer master key (CMK) every 1 – 3 years.
- Remember that you have to manually choose to enable key rotation when you manually create a CMK, it is not turned on by default.
Always refer back to the AWS documentation and practice tests to solidify your understanding.

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Key Rotation practice test

Key rotation is a process of generating a new version of a Customer Master Key (CMK) and discarding the previous version. This provides additional security by periodically updating the cryptographic material used to protect data. AWS KMS can automatically rotate CMKs annually. When a CMK is rotated, all data keys previously encrypted with the old version remain accessible, as the key metadata is maintained in AWS KMS. Users can also configure custom key rotation policies or manually rotate keys for additional control.

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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.
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  • Risk-Free Decision: Start with a 7-day free trial - get premium features at no cost!