Key Custodian

Definitions

1. A person or role formally responsible for safeguarding cryptographic keys or key material and enforcing the procedures around their handling. Key custodians are common in environments where key access, backup, escrow, and rotation require strict separation of duties.

   In plain English: A person entrusted with protecting and controlling important cryptographic keys.

   Example: "Restoring the signing system required two key custodians to authorize access to the backup key components."

Related Terms

• Encryption Key Management
• Envelope Encryption
• Ephemeral Key
• Hardware Security Module
• Key Ceremony
• Key Derivation
• Key Escrow
• Key Exchange