Which practice involves the systematic destruction of encryption keys post-data encryption?

Crypto-shredding is the practice that specifically involves the systematic destruction of encryption keys after data has been encrypted. This process effectively ensures that once the keys are destroyed, it is impossible to decrypt the data, rendering it permanently inaccessible. This technique is particularly important for organizations that need to ensure that sensitive information is not only encrypted but also irretrievable once data is no longer required.

By securely deleting the encryption keys, organizations mitigate the risks associated with data breaches and unauthorized access, as even if someone were to obtain the encrypted data, without the keys, it remains secure. Crypto-shredding is a crucial component of data lifecycle management, especially when dealing with sensitive or regulated information, as it aligns with compliance standards regarding data disposal and privacy.

Other practices, such as data anonymization or key revocation, do not focus specifically on the systematic destruction of the keys used for encryption. Data encryption is the process of converting data into a secure format, and key revocation refers to the invalidation of keys used for access, rather than their destruction after data has been encrypted.