Bring Your Own Key (BYOK)
BYOK empowers businesses to protect their data by placing encryption keys firmly in their control.
It provides peace of mind and assurance that no matter where data resides, it is secure and managed according to their terms.
What is Bring Your Own Key (BYOK)?
Bring Your Own Key (BYOK)is a security framework that allows organizations to generate, control, and manage their own encryption keys, even when using third-party services such as cloud platforms or Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions. This approach ensures that sensitive data stored or processed in external environments remains secure and under the organization's control, not the service provider's.
In a BYOK model, the organization retains ownership and authority over the encryption keys, deciding when and how they are used. The keys are typically created in secure environments, such as hardware security modules (HSMs), and are then securely transferred to the third-party service while ensuring compliance with industry regulations and internal policies. Engage Black offers BlackVault HSMs to support BYOK.
Cloud Service Providers supporting BYOK
Leading CSPs including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Compute Engine, Microsoft Azure, and Salesforce all support BYOK. See below Engage Black integration guides:
EngageBlack Products
EngageBlack Products
What is Bring Your Own Key (BYOK)?
Bring Your Own Key (BYOK)is a security framework that allows organizations to generate, control, and manage their own encryption keys, even when using third-party services such as cloud platforms or Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions. This approach ensures that sensitive data stored or processed in external environments remains secure and under the organization's control, not the service provider's.
In a BYOK model, the organization retains ownership and authority over the encryption keys, deciding when and how they are used. The keys are typically created in secure environments, such as hardware security modules (HSMs), and are then securely transferred to the third-party service while ensuring compliance with industry regulations and internal policies.
Cloud Service Providers supporting BYOK
Leading CSPs including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Compute Engine, Microsoft Azure, and Salesforce all support BYOK. See below Engage Black integration guides:
BlackVault HSM BYOK Integrations
Integration Guides
Microsoft Azure Key Vault BYOK Integration Guide
Google Cloud Key Management (Google KMS) and Google Compute Engine BYOK Integration Guide
Amazon Web Services (AWS) BYOK Integration Guide
Microsoft Azure Key Vault BYOK Integration Guide
Google Cloud Key Management (Google KMS) and Google Compute Engine BYOK Integration Guide
Amazon Web Services (AWS) BYOK Integration Guide
Advantages of Bring Your Own Key (BYOK)
1. Full Control Over Encryption Keys
With BYOK, organizations retain complete ownership and management of their encryption keys. This ensures no third-party service provider can access or misuse the keys without explicit authorization.
2. Enhanced Security
Encryption keys are often generated and stored in tamper-resistant environments like HSMs. This protects them from unauthorized access, theft, or cyberattacks.
3. Data Sovereignty and Privacy Compliance
BYOK helps organizations comply with data privacy regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA, and NIST SP 800-171 by allowing them to maintain jurisdiction over their encryption keys and data.
4. Cloud and SaaS Flexibility
BYOK ensures that even when data is hosted in a third-party cloud environment, organizations maintain control over the encryption process. This allows for secure data sharing and processing in the cloud without compromising ownership.
5. Key Revocation and Lifecycle Management
Organizations can revoke or rotate keys as needed, providing flexibility and control over their data's lifecycle in case of a security breach or policy change.
6. Protection Against Insider Threats
BYOK minimizes the risk of insider threats at service providers by ensuring encryption keys are never fully exposed to their infrastructure.
Common Use Cases of BYOK
Regulated Industries
Financial services, healthcare, and government agencies often adopt BYOK to meet compliance standards like GDPR, HIPAA, or FIPS.
Intellectual Property Protection
Businesses dealing with sensitive intellectual property use BYOK to protect trade secrets from unauthorized access.
Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Environments
Organizations operating in multiple cloud ecosystems or a mix of on-premises and cloud environments use BYOK for consistent encryption practices.
Legal and Professional Services
Encrypt client case files and correspondence.
How Engage Black Supports BYOK
Tamper-Resistant Security
Protects keys with hardware-based authentication and tamper-resistant design.
Compliance Enablement
Meets strict security standards like FIPS 140-2 Level 3 and NIST SP 800-171.
Cloud Compatibility
Facilitates secure key export to major cloud platforms while maintaining control.
Operational Efficiency
Simplifies key lifecycle management, including generation, rotation, and revocation.
BlackVault Hardware Security Platform
- Maintain FIPS 140-2 Level 3 security and have a full range of applications and capabilities
- Perform Key Management, Cryptography, and Certificate Creation
- Utilize AES, RSA EC, and DSA key types.
- Sign using various hashes including but not limited to SHA256, SHA384, and SHA512.
- Easily integrates into a variety of applications, supporting numerous crypto APIs including PKCS#11, Java (JCE) and Microsoft CAPI / CNG, across a variety of operating systems.
BlackVault HSM (TouchScreen)
General Purpose FIPS 140-2 Level 3 Hardware Security Module
- Networked and off-line operation with ethernet and USB ports
- Integrated touchscreen display
- Security, compliance, and ease of use paramount
- Tamper reactive silicon die shield
- Embeddable form factor
- Fully redundant cababilities
DIMENSIONS
4"(L) x 6"(W) x 1"(H)
BlackVault HSM.TAC
Tactically deployable model allows a fully secure, turnkey solution while avoiding the size, wieght and power consumption of traditional HSMs
- Rugged
- Small Form Factor
- Extended Temperature Range
- Wide array of tactical infrastructure use cases
DIMENSIONS
4"(L) x 6"(W) x 1"(H)
BlackVault HSM.RAS
Affordable commercial grade model with an integrated Smart Card reader that utilizes an extruded aluminum case for secure mounting
- Compact form factor
- Smart card reader
- Tamper reactive silicon die shield
- Long battery life
DIMENSIONS
4"(L) x 6"(W) x 1"(H)
BlackVault Accessories
BlackVault Accessories
Security Lock Cable
Rack Mounted Locking Drawer
Integration Guides
Integration Guides
Red Hat Certificate System Integration Guide
Microsoft Certificate Authority Integration Guide
ISC's CertAgent Certificate Authority Integration Guide
Red Hat Certificate System Integration Guide
Microsoft Certificate Authority Integration Guide
ISC's CertAgent Certificate Authority Integration Guide
EJBCA Integration Guide
Java Jar Integration Guide
Watchguard Integration Guide
EJBCA Integration Guide
Java Jar Integration Guide
Watchguard Integration Guide
Authenticode Integration Guide
Android Dev Studio Integration Guide
Eclipse Integration Guide
Authenticode Integration Guide
Android Dev Studio Integration Guide
Eclipse Integration Guide
BlackVault HSM Overview
The BlackVault Hardware Security Module (HSM) is a network attached general purpose FIPS 140-2 Level 3 HSM with unique functionality making authentication, security, compliance, and ease of use paramount. Public Key Cryptography for generating and protecting public and private keys. |
Powerful Features
Its powerful features include a compact form factor, smart card reader, integrated touch screen color display, tamper reactive silicon die shield, long battery life, networked and off-line operation with Ethernet and USB ports, and much more.
BV Tool
Is a Powerful, easy to use, PKCS#11 CLI tool able to perform many different cryptographic operations that comes with every BlackVault HSM and works on Windows/Linux/MacOS both physical and virtualized. Some of the functions are:
Key Management • Create Keys • Delete Keys • Key Import/Export | Create Certificates • CSRs • Certificates • Self-Signed Certificates |
| As Well as... • Sign/Verify Files • Encrypt/Decrypt Files |
Able to utilize AES, RSA EC, and DSA key types. Sign using various hashes including but not limited to SHA256, SHA384, and SHA512.
Easy to Integrate
BlackVault easily integrates into a variety of applications, supporting numerous crypto APIs including PKCS#11, Java (JCE) and Microsoft CAPI / CNG, across a variety of operating systems.
A SDK comes with a purchase of an HSM designed to help you integrate your application with the BlackVault through its PKCS#11 interface.
- Includes example code of Python and C++
Simple easy to use integration guides with step by step walkthroughs to get you up and running with a variety of applications including:
• Authenticode • Eclipse • Android Dev Studio • Java • Microsoft Active Directory Certificate Services |
Portable / Embeddable Form Factor
Its compact “hard drive” form-factor and redundant, battery-backed, solid state key storage allow BlackVault to be moved to a secure room or safe without loss or compromise of root keys or other cryptographic material. Its small form factor with USB connection and power also supports mounting BlackVault within application servers and other compact environments.
Trusted Path Authentication In addition, the integrated smart card reader facilitates two-factor authentication, and advanced “M of N” Quorum approval. This ensures that no single individual can authorize administrative or operational actions.
Real Time Audits Constantly updated configuration and operation information provide Security Administrators with the data to discover anomalous activity or failure of critical functions. Audit information can be sent to a trusted entity and is protected to prevent unauthorized access, modification, or deletion.
Military Grade Tamper Reactive
Ideal for Many Applications The BlackVault is an independently certified standards based network attached hsm (hardware security module) that performs key management and cryptographic operations for enterprises, certificate authorities, government, and a growing list of organizations requiring strong security for PKI, digital certificates, code signing, document signing, cryptographic key storage, data encryption, key generation and regulatory compliance in cloud companion, networked and off-line (air-gap) operations. |
BlackVault HSM Overview
The BlackVault Hardware Security Module (HSM) is a network attached general purpose FIPS 140-2 Level 3 HSM with unique functionality making authentication, security, compliance, and ease of use paramount. Public Key Cryptography for generating and protecting public and private keys. |
Powerful Features
Its powerful features include a compact form factor, smart card reader, integrated touch screen color display, tamper reactive silicon die shield, long battery life, networked and off-line operation with Ethernet and USB ports, and much more.
BV Tool
Is a Powerful, easy to use, PKCS#11 CLI tool able to perform many different cryptographic operations that comes with every BlackVault HSM and works on Windows/Linux/MacOS both physical and virtualized. Some of the functions are:
Key Management • Create Keys • Delete Keys • Key Import/Export | Create Certificates • CSRs • Certificates • Self-Signed Certificates |
| As Well as... • Sign/Verify Files • Encrypt/Decrypt Files |
Able to utilize AES, RSA EC, and DSA key types. Sign using various hashes including but not limited to SHA256, SHA384, and SHA512.
Easy to Integrate
BlackVault easily integrates into a variety of applications, supporting numerous crypto APIs including PKCS#11, Java (JCE) and Microsoft CAPI / CNG, across a variety of operating systems.
A SDK comes with a purchase of an HSM designed to help you integrate your application with the BlackVault through its PKCS#11 interface.
- Includes example code of Python and C++
Simple easy to use integration guides with step by step walkthroughs to get you up and running with a variety of applications including:
• Authenticode • Eclipse • Android Dev Studio • Java • Microsoft Active Directory Certificate Services |
Portable / Embeddable Form Factor
Its compact “hard drive” form-factor and redundant, battery-backed, solid state key storage allow BlackVault to be moved to a secure room or safe without loss or compromise of root keys or other cryptographic material. Its small form factor with USB connection and power also supports mounting BlackVault within application servers and other compact environments.
Trusted Path Authentication In addition, the integrated smart card reader facilitates two-factor authentication, and advanced “M of N” Quorum approval. This ensures that no single individual can authorize administrative or operational actions.
Real Time Audits Constantly updated configuration and operation information provide Security Administrators with the data to discover anomalous activity or failure of critical functions. Audit information can be sent to a trusted entity and is protected to prevent unauthorized access, modification, or deletion.
Military Grade Tamper Reactive
Ideal for Many Applications The BlackVault is an independently certified standards based network attached hsm (hardware security module) that performs key management and cryptographic operations for enterprises, certificate authorities, government, and a growing list of organizations requiring strong security for PKI, digital certificates, code signing, document signing, cryptographic key storage, data encryption, key generation and regulatory compliance in cloud companion, networked and off-line (air-gap) operations. |
