Recommendation for Key Management: Part 1 - General

Published

May 4, 2020

Author(s)

Elaine B. Barker

Abstract

This Recommendation provides cryptographic key-management guidance. It consists of three parts. Part 1 (this document) provides general guidance and best practices for the management of cryptographic keying material, including definitions of the security services that may be provided when using cryptography and the algorithms and key types that may be employed, specifications of the protection that each type of key and other cryptographic information requires and methods for providing this protection, discussions about the functions involved in key management, and discussions about a variety of key-management issues to be addressed when using cryptography.

Citation

Special Publication (NIST SP) - 800-57 Pt1 Rev 5

Report Number

800-57 Pt1 Rev 5

NIST Pub Series

Special Publication (NIST SP)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Supercedes Publication

Recommendation for Key Management, Part 1: General

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DOI Link

Keywords

archive, authentication, authorization, availability, backup, compromise, confidentiality, cryptographic key, cryptographic module, digital signature, hash function, key agreement, key management, key recovery, keying material, key transport, private key, public key, secret key, trust anchor

Citation

Barker, E. (2020), Recommendation for Key Management: Part 1 - General, Special Publication (NIST SP), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-57pt1r5 (Accessed October 9, 2025)