HashiCorp Vault Enterprise PKI Consulting — HSM/KMS, ACME, Kubernetes
Vendor‑neutral PKI specialists helping you design, deploy, and operate Vault Enterprise PKI (v1.10–v1.14+).
Why teams choose SafeCipher for Vault PKI
- Faster time‑to‑value: We turn on ACME automation for web, API gateways, and Kubernetes ingress in days, not months.
- HSM/KMS done right: Protect CA private keys with PKCS#11 HSMs, AWS KMS, or Azure Key Vault using auditable ceremonies.
- Production‑grade governance: Namespaces, RBAC, policy guardrails, and audit logging aligned to regulated environments.
- Hybrid reality: We integrate Vault with existing EJBCA/Venafi or AWS Private CA / Google CAS where it makes sense.
What you’ll get
- Reference architecture tailored to your estate: offline Root CA + Vault intermediates with Managed Keys.
- Automation plan: ACME for apps and ingress; API roles for MTLS; cert‑manager Issuer/ClusterIssuer.
- Revocation you can rely on: Unified CRL/Delta CRL and OCSP layout mapped to your network.
- Rollover playbook: Use multi‑issuer to rotate keys with cross‑signs and zero downtime.
Typical outcomes in the first 30 days
- Live Vault PKI sandbox with HSM/KMS‑backed keys.
- One Kubernetes cluster issuing via cert‑manager; one non‑K8s ingress renewing via ACME.
- Unified CRL/OCSP reachable from all client networks.
- Draft policy (SAN patterns, EKUs, TTLs) and operational tidy schedule.
When Vault PKI is the right fit
- You already standardise on Vault for secrets and want a programmable CA in the same control plane.
- You need short‑lived certificates and hands‑free renewals across microservices and proxies.
- You want HSM/KMS protection without buying a separate PKI appliance.
When to pair with other CAs
- Heavy device/MDM/IoT enrollment via EST/SCEP/CMPv2 and RA/VA workflows → pair or lead with EJBCA/Venafi.
- Deep, managed cloud integrations at L7 → consider AWS Private CA or Google CAS alongside Vault.
Our engagement model
- Discovery & design — map trust stores, issuance, and revocation paths; choose Vault‑centric or hybrid.
- Pilot — implement Managed Keys, ACME, cert‑manager, and Unified CRL/OCSP; validate in prod‑like paths.
- Handover — playbooks for key ceremonies, rollover, backups, and compliance reporting.
Proof points
- Delivered Vault PKI for mixed on‑prem / multi‑cloud estates with strict compliance and FIPS requirements.
- Migrated legacy AD CS / appliance CAs to Vault with staged cross‑signs and zero‑downtime rollovers.
Talk to SafeCipher
Ready to make Vault PKI production‑ready? Book a discovery call and we’ll map a path that fits your governance and velocity.