VM encryption with KMS: High security, low complexity
30. August 2022
A Key Management System is used to control and manage access to keys, certificates, and other “secrets.” It is also essential for the highly secure operation of our customers’ applications. VM encryption, i.e. the encryption of virtual systems, plays a key role in this.
Why encrypt virtual machines?
Additional encryption of virtual environments (virtual machines / VMs) is particularly advisable for particularly sensitive data – such as personal or patient data. Fortunately, the handling of such data is subject to strict regulatory requirements that are thoroughly checked and certified. Theft of this data would have particularly serious consequences and must be reliably prevented. This is where VM encryption comes in and makes an essential contribution to data security.
What does VM encryption do?
VM encryption transparently encrypts all data at rest at operating system level. Thanks to centralised configuration, the complexity is not unnecessarily increased by separate encryption mechanisms in individual applications.
The keys for encryption and decryption are obtained securely via a KMS. This ensures that virtual machines cannot be read or started on unauthorised systems. All connections to the KMS and all processes within the virtual systems are logged for traceability.
Why the combination of VM encryption and KMS is convincing
The combination of VM encryption and key management system offers extremely high protection with simple implementation and low complexity. This reduces the workload for administrators and lowers operating costs. At the same time, the security of particularly sensitive data increases considerably.
This solution therefore represents a central component of a modern security concept. Professional and easy-to-implement encryption of virtual machines makes a noticeable contribution to IT governance – efficiently, securely and economically.
Security through centralised key management
VM encryption in combination with a central KMS is an effective approach to fulfil regulatory requirements, prevent data misuse and implement IT security standards at the highest level – without additional effort in the system landscape.
