Secure and Simplify Key Management Across the IBM Cloud
Centralized control for your data encryption lifecycle with IBM Cloud Key Protect
Overview of IBM Cloud Key Protect
IBM Cloud Key Protect is a cloud-native key management service that helps businesses provision, manage, and monitor encryption keys used across IBM Cloud services. Whether you're building modern applications, managing compliance, or enforcing data sovereignty, Key Protect IBM enables centralized visibility and control over your cryptographic keys without the complexity of on-premises HSMs.
Why Choose IBM Cloud Key Protect?
Import symmetric keys from your existing infrastructure to maintain control while moving to IBM Cloud.
All keys are stored using Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) that meet stringent federal standards.
Track user and application-level activities with IBM Cloud Activity Tracker for full operational visibility.
Seamless integration with VMware through Key Management Interoperability Protocol (KMIP) adapters.
Once keys are deleted, they and their encrypted data are irrecoverable — ensuring permanent data protection.
Monitor and manage credit spending across all IBM Cloud accounts from a unified billing dashboard.
What the Numbers say?
Features
Use a root key to control access to all encrypted workloads across your applications.
Manage and retrieve keys independent of your app’s code base for maximum flexibility.
Compatible with IBM Cloud Satellite and hybrid environments for consistent key control.
Easily embed Key Protect with other IBM Cloud services and third-party applications via RESTful APIs.
Automate key lifecycle tasks such as rotation and version management to meet compliance goals.
Upload and manage certificates to enable encrypted communication using KMIP.
Key Facts
IBM Cloud Key Protect is part of IBM’s broader Data Security and Compliance portfolio.
Supports Bring Your Own HSM (BYOHSM) via IBM Cloud Satellite deployment.
Enables compliance alignment for financial services, healthcare, and regulated industries.
What The Users Say
“IBM Key Protect has achieved the IBM Cloud for Financial Services Validated designation—demonstrating compliance with rigorous security and operational controls, further solidifying its trustworthiness for regulated industries.”
“IBM Key Protect has achieved IBM Cloud for Financial Services Validated designation, demonstrating proven compliance with IBM’s rigorous framework for security and data protection in highly regulated industries. Financial institutions trust Key Protect IBM for its advanced access controls, audit-ready encryption, and native IBM Cloud compatibility.”
FAQ's
It’s a cloud-based key management service that allows users to create, import, and manage encryption keys used to protect data on IBM Cloud.
Proper key management ensures that sensitive data is encrypted, access is restricted, and only authorized services or users can decrypt the data.
Key Protect is certified under FIPS 140-2 and supports compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, and industry-specific standards.
It seamlessly integrates with IBM Cloud Object Storage, Kubernetes, Bare Metal Servers, and databases for end-to-end encryption.
Yes, users can import and rotate their own cryptographic keys while maintaining full control and visibility over their lifecycle.
Key Protect uses a Hardware Security Module (HSM) for secure key storage and operations, adding an extra layer of physical and logical security.
Yes, organizations can use Key Protect across multiple projects or environments with centralized policy and access management.
Nexright assists with secure onboarding, integration with applications, policy enforcement, and training for DevSecOps adoption at scale.
