Vendor‑Neutral Key Management Services (KMS) & HSM Integration
Design, deploy, and operate enterprise key management with a vendor‑neutral approach. We compare and integrate AWS KMS, Azure Key Vault, Google Cloud KMS, Entrust KeyControl, Venafi Trust Protection Platform, Thales CipherTrust Manager, IBM SKLM, HPE ESKM, and RSA DPM—aligning with GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and FIPS 140‑3.
By Steve Monti — SafeCipher Ltd ·
Quick definition ()
Vendor‑neutral key management means selecting and integrating the right KMS/HSM for each use case—across on‑prem, hybrid, and multi‑cloud—without vendor lock‑in. We compare AWS KMS, Azure Key Vault, Google Cloud KMS, Entrust KeyControl, Venafi TPP, Thales CipherTrust, IBM SKLM, HPE ESKM, and RSA DPM and design BYOK/HYOK models with clear key custody and compliance.
Strategy & Architecture
Reference architectures for KMS/HSM, crypto‑agility, segmentation, and multi‑cloud. Map risks to controls, choose BYOK vs HYOK, and define RBAC and auditable ceremonies.
Implementation & Migration
Deploy or modernise key management for on‑prem, hybrid, and cloud environments. Migrate from legacy platforms with minimal downtime.
Operations & Automation
Automate key lifecycle management (generation, rotation, archival, destruction), policy enforcement, and evidence collection for audits.
Supported KMS & HSM Vendors
AWS Key Management Service (KMS)
Managed KMS for AWS services and apps; supports BYOK, key policies, and multi‑region replication for cloud‑native workloads.
Microsoft Azure Key Vault
Secure storage for keys, secrets, and certificates; integrates with Azure services and Managed HSM for hardware‑backed protection.
Google Cloud Key Management Service (KMS)
Fully managed KMS for GCP with CMEK/BYOK options and tight integration with Google Cloud services.
Entrust KeyControl
Centralised key management across on‑prem, cloud, and hybrid environments with policy‑driven lifecycle controls.
Venafi Trust Protection Platform (TPP)
Machine identity management—governs keys and certificates at scale across data centres and clouds to protect cryptographic assets.
Thales CipherTrust Manager
Unified data security and key management with KMIP and cloud service integrations; comprehensive compliance tooling.
IBM Security Key Lifecycle Manager (SKLM)
Lifecycle management for encryption keys across diverse platforms with KMIP support and audit capabilities.
HPE Secure Key Manager (ESKM)
Centralised enterprise key management, integrating with HPE infrastructure and third‑party systems via standards‑based protocols.
RSA Data Protection Manager (DPM)
Centralised control for keys and policies across applications and storage; supports compliance and separation of duties.
BYOK vs HYOK & Key Custody
BYOK (bring your own key) improves control by importing/originating keys within provider platforms, while HYOK (hold your own key) keeps custody with you—often using on‑prem HSMs or dedicated single‑tenant modules. We map models to jurisdiction, latency, and regulatory constraints.
Key Lifecycle Management (NIST SP 800‑57)
- Generation & strong entropy sources (HSM‑backed where required)
- Storage, access control, and dual‑control processes
- Rotation & crypto‑agility for algorithm and size changes
- Archival & escrow policies with tamper‑evident workflows
- Revocation & destruction with verifiable evidence
Planning a quantum‑safe roadmap? See our Quantum PKI Transition guidance.
Compliance: GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, FIPS 140‑3
We align CP/CPS, RBAC, logging, and evidence with regulatory requirements and confirm provider controls map to your audits. Where necessary, we design on‑prem or dedicated HSM patterns to meet jurisdictional expectations. For deeper assurance, explore our Cryptographic Hardware & Software Audits.
Integration & Automation (KMIP, APIs)
We integrate KMS/HSM platforms using KMIP and cloud APIs, automate key operations, and maintain crypto‑agility so platforms can change without rewriting applications.
Platform comparison (at a glance)
| Platform | Best for | Custody model | Integration |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWS KMS | AWS‑native workloads | Provider‑managed with BYOK | AWS services, APIs |
| Azure Key Vault | Azure‑native + Managed HSM | Provider‑managed; HYOK patterns with dedicated HSM | Azure services, REST |
| Google Cloud KMS | GCP‑native workloads | Provider‑managed with CMEK/BYOK | GCP services, APIs |
| Entrust KeyControl | Cross‑environment governance | Customer‑managed | KMIP, REST |
| Venafi TPP | Machine identity at scale | Customer‑managed | Integrations, APIs |
| Thales CipherTrust | Unified data security & KMS | Customer‑managed | KMIP, cloud connectors |
| IBM SKLM | Heterogeneous estates | Customer‑managed | KMIP, enterprise systems |
| HPE ESKM | HPE‑centric deployments | Customer‑managed | Standards‑based protocols |
| RSA DPM | Legacy/control integration | Customer‑managed | Apps & storage connectors |
Decision checklist
- ☑ Clarify use cases and jurisdiction constraints.
- ☑ Choose BYOK vs HYOK with clear key custody lines.
- ☑ Verify compliance mappings (GDPR/HIPAA/PCI/FIPS 140‑3).
- ☑ Define lifecycle processes and automation.
- ☑ Plan for crypto‑agility and platform portability.
FAQs
Do you support hybrid patterns with on‑prem HSMs?
Yes. We integrate on‑prem HSMs with cloud KMS for HYOK scenarios, keeping critical keys under your control while enabling cloud‑native workflows.
Can you migrate from legacy key managers?
We plan staged migrations from older platforms (e.g., RSA DPM, HPE ESKM) to modern solutions with minimal downtime and strong evidence for audits.
How quickly can we achieve rotation and audit readiness?
We automate rotation and evidence collection early, then phase advanced controls (e.g., dual control, approvals) to meet SLAs and regulator expectations.
Speak to a Key Management Specialist
Tell us about your KMS/HSM objectives, constraints, and timelines. We’ll propose a pragmatic, audit‑ready design.