Understanding Server-Side Encryption with Customer-Managed Keys (CMK) in Azure Cognitive Search

Understanding Server-Side Encryption with Customer-Managed Keys (CMK) in Azure Cognitive Search new name Azure AI Search

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Server-Side Encryption in Azure Cognitive Search
2. Implications of Enabling Server-Side Encryption with CMK
   • 1. Index Size Increase
   • 2. Query Times Increase
   • 3. Requirement for Azure Key Vault
3. Conclusion

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Introduction to Server-Side Encryption in Azure Cognitive Search 

Azure Cognitive Search new name Azure AI Search provides a robust platform for indexing and querying content. To enhance the security of the data, server-side encryption can be enabled, and customers have the option to use customer-managed keys (CMK) stored in Azure Key Vault. This approach allows greater control over the encryption keys, aligning with stringent security and compliance requirements.

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Implications of Enabling Server-Side Encryption with CMK 

When enabling server-side encryption with customer-managed keys (CMK) in Azure AI Search, there are several critical implications that customers should be aware of:

1. Index Size Increase 

Explanation:

• When CMK is enabled for server-side encryption, the index size may increase due to the encryption overhead. This overhead comes from the additional metadata and padding associated with encrypted data, leading to a larger index size.

2. Query Times Increase 

Explanation:

• Enabling encryption with customer-managed keys introduces extra processing overhead during query execution. This overhead is primarily due to the decryption process required before the data can be queried, resulting in slightly increased query times.

3. Requirement for Azure Key Vault

Explanation:

• Azure Key Vault is essential for managing and storing the customer-managed keys (CMK) used in server-side encryption. When using CMK with Azure Cognitive Search, integration with Azure Key Vault is mandatory to securely manage the encryption keys.

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Conclusion 

Enabling server-side encryption with customer-managed keys in Azure Cognitive Search offers enhanced security by giving customers more control over encryption keys. However, this comes with trade-offs such as increased index size and query times, and it requires the use of Azure Key Vault for key management. Understanding these implications is crucial for making informed decisions about data security in Azure Cognitive Search.