What is Cloud KMS?
Cloud KMS is Google’s central Key Management Service. The service creates, stores, and manages encryption keys for cloud data and applications. With CMEK (Customer-Managed Encryption Keys), you retain control over the encryption of GCP resources.
Core Features
- Centralized key management: Manage all keys in one place
- Multiple protection levels: Software, HSM, or External Keys
- Automatic rotation: Rotate keys regularly without manual effort
- CMEK integration: Encrypt BigQuery, GCS, GKE, and other services with your own keys
- Key Access Justifications: Logs show why keys were accessed
Common Use Cases
Customer-Managed Encryption
Encrypt GCP resources like Cloud Storage, BigQuery, or Persistent Disks with your own KMS keys instead of Google-managed keys.
Application-Level Encryption
Encrypt sensitive data in applications with KMS keys. The envelope encryption method protects Data Encryption Keys with KMS.
Compliance and Audit
Meet strict compliance requirements with controllable encryption, audit logs, and key lifecycle management.
Benefits
- Central control over all encryption keys
- Different security levels for different requirements
- Native integration with all GCP services
- Complete audit trail of all key operations
Integration with innFactory
As a certified Google Cloud Partner, innFactory supports you with Cloud KMS: key management strategy, CMEK implementation, HSM migration, and compliance consulting.
Available Tiers & Options
Software Keys
- Lowest cost
- Fast operations
- Software-backed
HSM Keys
- FIPS 140-2 Level 3
- Hardware-backed
- Higher cost
External Keys (EKM)
- Keys outside Google
- Maximum control
- External HSM required
- Additional latency
Typical Use Cases
Technical Specifications
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cloud KMS?
Cloud KMS is Google's Key Management Service. It manages encryption keys for encrypting data in GCP and custom applications.
What are the key protection levels?
Software (software-backed), HSM (FIPS 140-2 Level 3 hardware), and External (keys in external HSM via EKM).
What is CMEK?
Customer-Managed Encryption Keys allow encrypting GCP resources with your own KMS keys instead of Google-managed keys.
How are keys rotated?
Cloud KMS supports automatic key rotation. New primary versions are created, old ones remain available for decryption.
Can I import keys from other systems?
Yes, Cloud KMS supports key import. Import happens encrypted via Import Jobs.
Note: All product information on this page has been compiled with care, but is provided without guarantee and may be outdated or incomplete. Cloud services evolve rapidly — features, pricing, SLAs, and availability change frequently. Authoritative and up-to-date information can only be found on the official product page of Google Cloud (official documentation). This page does not represent an offer by Google Cloud.
