Which of the following is a key issue in the management of cryptographic keys?

The key issue in the management of cryptographic keys that is most relevant here is key rotation. Key rotation involves regularly changing cryptographic keys to reduce the risk of unauthorized access or data breaches. By periodically updating keys, organizations can limit the exposure time of any single key, thereby minimizing the potential impact of a compromised key.

Effective key rotation is essential in maintaining a strong security posture, as it helps ensure that even if a key is compromised, the window of opportunity for an attacker to exploit that key is limited. This practice is a critical part of any cryptographic policy within an organization, as it addresses vulnerabilities and helps to maintain the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive information over time.

While key recovery, key installation, and key usage audit are also important aspects of key management, key rotation stands out as a proactive measure that directly impacts the security of the cryptographic systems in place. Key recovery aims to facilitate the retrieval of lost keys, key installation focuses on deploying keys securely within a system, and key usage audits ensure that policies are being followed in how keys are used. Each of these plays a role in overall key management, but effective key rotation is a foundational strategy for ongoing security.