Customer Managed Encryption Keys and CockroachDB Dedicated: Protecting Your Data in the Cloud

Data security is more important as more businesses shift their operations to the cloud. Encryption, which converts sensitive data into a code that only authorised parties can decipher, is one of the best ways to safeguard your data. Yet not all encryption techniques are made equal. A strong method for managing encryption keys and safeguarding your data in the cloud is Customer Managed Encryption Keys (CMEK).

What is Customer Managed Encryption Keys (CMEK)?

Customers can manage and control their encryption keys for data stored in the cloud thanks to a security feature called Customer Managed Encryption Keys (CMEK). With CMEK, the customer has complete control over the security of their data because the encryption keys are created and kept by the customer rather than the cloud provider. In contrast, server-side encryption involves the management of the encryption keys by the cloud provider on behalf of the client.

For enterprises that require more data control and seek to lessen their reliance on cloud providers, CMEK is an essential component. It gives consumers more insight and control over their data by allowing them to adjust their encryption keys and policies.

CockroachDB Dedicated and Customer Managed Encryption Keys

CockroachDB Dedicated is a cloud-native distributed SQL database that offers a variety of features to ensure the security and privacy of your data. One of these features is CMEK, which provides customers with a high level of control over their encryption keys and data security.

CockroachDB Dedicated allows customers to use their own keys for encryption, which means they can create, revoke, and manage their encryption keys. This feature gives customers more control over their data, allowing them to ensure that only authorised parties can access it.

With CMEK and CockroachDB Dedicated, customers can enjoy the benefits of the cloud, such as scalability, reliability, and cost-efficiency, without sacrificing the security and privacy of their data. The feature provides users with greater control over their encryption keys, making it an essential tool for businesses that need to protect their sensitive data.

Example of CMEK in Practice Suppose a company stores sensitive customer data in the cloud using CockroachDB Dedicated. With CMEK, the company can generate and manage its encryption keys, which are used to encrypt and decrypt data stored in the cloud. This provides the company with greater control over its data, ensuring that only authorised users can access it.

The company only needs to revoke the matching encryption key if it wishes to deny access to a certain user. This immediately prevents that user from accessing the data. For businesses that must adhere to data protection laws like the GDPR or HIPAA, this level of encryption key control is crucial.

CMEK is a critical feature for companies that need greater control over their data and want to reduce their dependence on cloud providers. CockroachDB Dedicated offers this feature, allowing customers to use their encryption keys to encrypt and decrypt their data stored in the cloud. This provides users with greater control over their data security, making it an essential tool for businesses that need to protect their sensitive data. By using CMEK, companies can ensure that their data remains secure and protected, even when stored in the cloud.