keyUpdatedAt

KeyUpdatedAt is a metadata field used in data models to record the most recent time a key was updated. It is commonly associated with credentials such as API keys, encryption keys, or access tokens. The field helps systems determine the freshness of a key and supports auditing, rotation workflows, and dependent processes.

The timestamp is typically stored in a consistent, machine-readable format. Common choices include UTC ISO 8601 strings (for example, 2024-11-18T12:34:56Z) or a Unix epoch integer. Naming conventions vary by codebase, with keyUpdatedAt (camelCase) and key_updated_at (snake_case) being the most frequent variants.

Uses include auditing who changed a key and when, enforcing key rotation or revocation policies, triggering dependent re-issuance of credentials, and supporting cache invalidation or synchronization across distributed services. It is often updated automatically as part of a key management workflow, ideally in an atomic operation alongside the key material change.

Implementation considerations involve ensuring the field is updated reliably whenever the key changes, using a trustworthy time source, and indexing the field for efficient lookups. It should be treated as the version indicator for a key, remaining constant for the life of a given key until rotation occurs. Time zone consistency and proper handling of historical records are important for accurate auditing.

Common issues include clock drift between systems, inconsistent naming, or missing updates on partial changes. Privacy and retention policies may affect how long key update timestamps are stored and how they are exposed in logs and audits. See also updated_at, created_at, and key rotation.