Nøklerhemmelige

Nøklerhemmelige, literally meaning secret keys in Norwegian, is a term used in information security to refer to cryptographic keys that must be kept secret. The secrecy of these keys is essential to maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of encrypted data. The term is commonly used in security policies, risk assessments, and compliance discussions.

In cryptography, a secret key can refer to symmetric keys used in symmetric algorithms (such as AES or 3DES) or to private keys in asymmetric systems when the private portion must remain confidential. Public keys are not secret, but the private key is, since it must be safeguarded to prevent unauthorized access or impersonation.

Key management: generation, distribution, storage, rotation, and revocation are critical. Keys should be generated with sufficient entropy, stored in protected hardware (HSMs, secure key vaults), and rotated regularly. Access should be tightly controlled and audited. Effective lifecycle practices include key backup, incident response planning, and clear ownership.

Security considerations: leakage of secret keys allows attackers to decrypt data, impersonate parties, or sign forged messages. Best practices include using strong algorithms and adequate key lengths, protecting keys in hardware when possible, employing secure channels for transfer, key wrapping, and enforcing separation of duties and least-privilege access.

Standards and practice: organizations often align with standards such as ISO/IEC 27001, NIST SP 800-57, and PCI-DSS. In practice, nøklerhemmelige are part of broader cryptographic governance, including key lifecycle management, policy enforcement, and regular security audits.