What is the purpose of AWS Key Management Service (KMS)?

The purpose of AWS Key Management Service (KMS) is to manage encryption keys for AWS services and applications securely. KMS enables users to create, control, and manage cryptographic keys that are used to encrypt data, ensuring that sensitive information is protected both at rest and in transit.

With KMS, organizations can establish a centralized key management system that allows them to enforce policies around key usage, conduct audits for compliance, and automate the lifecycle of encryption keys. This service integrates with various AWS services, allowing for seamless encryption of data across different environments without needing to generate and manage keys manually.

KMS also offers features like automatic rotation of keys, which enhances security by reducing the risk of key compromise, and the ability to manage access to encryption keys through AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) policies. This comprehensive approach to key management is crucial for maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive data in cloud environments.