BCPs are stable identifiers for Best Current Practices. A BCP may consist of a single RFC or a group of RFCs related to a specific IETF process or recommended guidelines. The collection may become empty as the BCP evolves.
RFC 4107: BCP 107: Guidelines for Cryptographic Key Management
Best Current Practice
- S. Bellovin
- R. Housley
- June 2005
- IETF publication
Abstract
The question often arises of whether a given security system requires some form of automated key management, or whether manual keying is sufficient. This memo provides guidelines for making such decisions. When symmetric cryptographic mechanisms are used in a protocol, the presumption is that automated key management is generally but not always needed. If manual keying is proposed, the burden of proving that automated key management is not required falls to the proposer. This document specifies an Internet Best Current Practices for the Internet Community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements.
Abstract
The question often arises of whether a given security system requires some form of automated key management, or whether manual keying is sufficient. This memo provides guidelines for making such decisions. When symmetric cryptographic mechanisms are used in a protocol, the presumption is that automated key management is generally but not always needed. If manual keying is proposed, the burden of proving that automated key management is not required falls to the proposer. This document specifies an Internet Best Current Practices for the Internet Community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements.