What does key management entail?

Key management involves the processes and systems used to create, distribute, store, utilize, and dispose of cryptographic keys throughout their lifecycle. This management is crucial in ensuring that the keys used for encryption and decryption are protected from unauthorized access or loss, which can compromise the security of the cryptographic system.

The lifecycle of cryptographic keys includes key generation, where secure keys are created; key distribution, which involves securely sending keys to authorized users or systems; key storage, where keys are kept in secure environments to prevent unauthorized access; key usage, where keys are applied to encrypt or decrypt data; key rotation, which entails periodically changing keys to mitigate risks; and key destruction, where keys are securely wiped to ensure they cannot be recovered or misused.

The other options focus on different aspects that are not directly related to the management of cryptographic keys. For instance, handling network traffic and data flow pertains to network management, while managing user authentication and access controls relates to identity and access management. Monitoring data usage and performance is associated with data management. Each of these areas plays an important role in overall data security but does not specifically address the critical functions of key management.