Manual Key Rotation
Manual key rotation is a security practice where cryptographic keys (e.g., encryption keys, API keys, SSH keys) are periodically replaced or updated by human intervention to mitigate risks from key compromise or expiration. It involves deactivating old keys, generating new ones, and updating systems to use the new keys, ensuring continued secure access. This process is typically documented and executed according to a predefined schedule or policy.
Developers should implement manual key rotation in environments where automated rotation isn't feasible or for high-security systems requiring human oversight, such as in compliance-driven industries (e.g., finance, healthcare) or legacy systems. It's crucial for reducing the attack surface by limiting the lifespan of keys, preventing unauthorized access from stolen or leaked keys, and meeting regulatory requirements like PCI-DSS or GDPR that mandate regular key updates.