---
name: azure-security-keyvault-keys-dotnet
description: Manage cryptographic keys in Azure Key Vault and Managed HSM using the .NET SDK. Create, rotate, encrypt, decrypt, sign, and verify keys with KeyClient and CryptographyClient.
license: MIT
---

# Azure.Security.KeyVault.Keys (.NET)

Client library for managing cryptographic keys in Azure Key Vault and Managed HSM.

## Installation

```bash
dotnet add package Azure.Security.KeyVault.Keys
dotnet add package Azure.Identity
```

**Current Version**: 4.7.0 (stable)

## Environment Variables

```bash
KEY_VAULT_NAME=<your-key-vault-name>  # Required: Key Vault name
AZURE_KEYVAULT_URL=https://<vault-name>.vault.azure.net  # Optional: full Key Vault URL
AZURE_TOKEN_CREDENTIALS=prod  # Required only if DefaultAzureCredential is used in production
```

## Client Hierarchy

```
KeyClient (key management)
├── CreateKey / CreateRsaKey / CreateEcKey
├── GetKey / GetKeys
├── UpdateKeyProperties
├── DeleteKey / PurgeDeletedKey
├── BackupKey / RestoreKey
└── GetCryptographyClient() → CryptographyClient

CryptographyClient (cryptographic operations)
├── Encrypt / Decrypt
├── WrapKey / UnwrapKey
├── Sign / Verify
└── SignData / VerifyData

KeyResolver (key resolution)
└── Resolve(keyId) → CryptographyClient
```

## Authentication

### Microsoft Entra Token Credential

```csharp
using Azure.Identity;
using Azure.Security.KeyVault.Keys;

var keyVaultName = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("KEY_VAULT_NAME");
var kvUri = $"https://{keyVaultName}.vault.azure.net";

// Local dev: DefaultAzureCredential. Production: set AZURE_TOKEN_CREDENTIALS=prod or AZURE_TOKEN_CREDENTIALS=<specific_credential>
var credential = new DefaultAzureCredential(
    DefaultAzureCredential.DefaultEnvironmentVariableName
);
// Or use a specific credential directly in production:
// See https://learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/api/overview/azure/identity-readme?view=azure-dotnet#credential-classes
// var credential = new ManagedIdentityCredential();
var client = new KeyClient(new Uri(kvUri), credential);
```

### Service Principal

```csharp
var credential = new ClientSecretCredential(
    tenantId: "<tenant-id>",
    clientId: "<client-id>",
    clientSecret: "<client-secret>");

var client = new KeyClient(new Uri(kvUri), credential);
```

## Key Management

### Create Keys

```csharp
// Create RSA key
KeyVaultKey rsaKey = await client.CreateKeyAsync("my-rsa-key", KeyType.Rsa);
Console.WriteLine($"Created key: {rsaKey.Name}, Type: {rsaKey.KeyType}");

// Create RSA key with options
var rsaOptions = new CreateRsaKeyOptions("my-rsa-key-2048")
{
    KeySize = 2048,
    HardwareProtected = false, // true for HSM-backed
    ExpiresOn = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow.AddYears(1),
    NotBefore = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow,
    Enabled = true
};
rsaOptions.KeyOperations.Add(KeyOperation.Encrypt);
rsaOptions.KeyOperations.Add(KeyOperation.Decrypt);

KeyVaultKey rsaKey2 = await client.CreateRsaKeyAsync(rsaOptions);

// Create EC key
var ecOptions = new CreateEcKeyOptions("my-ec-key")
{
    CurveName = KeyCurveName.P256,
    HardwareProtected = true // HSM-backed
};
KeyVaultKey ecKey = await client.CreateEcKeyAsync(ecOptions);

// Create Oct (symmetric) key for wrap/unwrap
var octOptions = new CreateOctKeyOptions("my-oct-key")
{
    KeySize = 256,
    HardwareProtected = true
};
KeyVaultKey octKey = await client.CreateOctKeyAsync(octOptions);
```

### Retrieve Keys

```csharp
// Get specific key (latest version)
KeyVaultKey key = await client.GetKeyAsync("my-rsa-key");
Console.WriteLine($"Key ID: {key.Id}");
Console.WriteLine($"Key Type: {key.KeyType}");
Console.WriteLine($"Version: {key.Properties.Version}");

// Get specific version
KeyVaultKey keyVersion = await client.GetKeyAsync("my-rsa-key", "version-id");

// List all keys
await foreach (KeyProperties keyProps in client.GetPropertiesOfKeysAsync())
{
    Console.WriteLine($"Key: {keyProps.Name}, Enabled: {keyProps.Enabled}");
}

// List key versions
await foreach (KeyProperties version in client.GetPropertiesOfKeyVersionsAsync("my-rsa-key"))
{
    Console.WriteLine($"Version: {version.Version}, Created: {version.CreatedOn}");
}
```

### Update Key Properties

```csharp
KeyVaultKey key = await client.GetKeyAsync("my-rsa-key");

key.Properties.ExpiresOn = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow.AddYears(2);
key.Properties.Tags["environment"] = "production";

KeyVaultKey updatedKey = await client.UpdateKeyPropertiesAsync(key.Properties);
```

### Delete and Purge Keys

```csharp
// Start delete operation
DeleteKeyOperation operation = await client.StartDeleteKeyAsync("my-rsa-key");

// Wait for deletion to complete (required before purge)
await operation.WaitForCompletionAsync();
Console.WriteLine($"Deleted key scheduled purge date: {operation.Value.ScheduledPurgeDate}");

// Purge immediately (if soft-delete is enabled)
await client.PurgeDeletedKeyAsync("my-rsa-key");

// Or recover deleted key
KeyVaultKey recoveredKey = await client.StartRecoverDeletedKeyAsync("my-rsa-key");
```

### Backup and Restore

```csharp
// Backup key
byte[] backup = await client.BackupKeyAsync("my-rsa-key");
await File.WriteAllBytesAsync("key-backup.bin", backup);

// Restore key
byte[] backupData = await File.ReadAllBytesAsync("key-backup.bin");
KeyVaultKey restoredKey = await client.RestoreKeyBackupAsync(backupData);
```

## Cryptographic Operations

### Get CryptographyClient

```csharp
// From KeyClient
KeyVaultKey key = await client.GetKeyAsync("my-rsa-key");
CryptographyClient cryptoClient = client.GetCryptographyClient(
    key.Name, 
    key.Properties.Version);

// Or create directly with key ID
CryptographyClient cryptoClient = new CryptographyClient(
    new Uri("https://myvault.vault.azure.net/keys/my-rsa-key/version"),
    new DefaultAzureCredential());
```

### Encrypt and Decrypt

```csharp
byte[] plaintext = Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes("Secret message to encrypt");

// Encrypt
EncryptResult encryptResult = await cryptoClient.EncryptAsync(
    EncryptionAlgorithm.RsaOaep256, 
    plaintext);
Console.WriteLine($"Encrypted: {Convert.ToBase64String(encryptResult.Ciphertext)}");

// Decrypt
DecryptResult decryptResult = await cryptoClient.DecryptAsync(
    EncryptionAlgorithm.RsaOaep256, 
    encryptResult.Ciphertext);
string decrypted = Encoding.UTF8.GetString(decryptResult.Plaintext);
Console.WriteLine($"Decrypted: {decrypted}");
```

### Wrap and Unwrap Keys

```csharp
// Key to wrap (e.g., AES key)
byte[] keyToWrap = new byte[32]; // 256-bit key
RandomNumberGenerator.Fill(keyToWrap);

// Wrap key
WrapResult wrapResult = await cryptoClient.WrapKeyAsync(
    KeyWrapAlgorithm.RsaOaep256, 
    keyToWrap);

// Unwrap key
UnwrapResult unwrapResult = await cryptoClient.UnwrapKeyAsync(
    KeyWrapAlgorithm.RsaOaep256, 
    wrapResult.EncryptedKey);
```

### Sign and Verify

```csharp
// Data to sign
byte[] data = Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes("Data to sign");

// Sign data (computes hash internally)
SignResult signResult = await cryptoClient.SignDataAsync(
    SignatureAlgorithm.RS256, 
    data);

// Verify signature
VerifyResult verifyResult = await cryptoClient.VerifyDataAsync(
    SignatureAlgorithm.RS256, 
    data, 
    signResult.Signature);
Console.WriteLine($"Signature valid: {verifyResult.IsValid}");

// Or sign pre-computed hash
using var sha256 = SHA256.Create();
byte[] hash = sha256.ComputeHash(data);

SignResult signHashResult = await cryptoClient.SignAsync(
    SignatureAlgorithm.RS256, 
    hash);
```

## Key Resolver

```csharp
using Azure.Security.KeyVault.Keys.Cryptography;

var resolver = new KeyResolver(new DefaultAzureCredential());

// Resolve key by ID to get CryptographyClient
CryptographyClient cryptoClient = await resolver.ResolveAsync(
    new Uri("https://myvault.vault.azure.net/keys/my-key/version"));

// Use for encryption
EncryptResult result = await cryptoClient.EncryptAsync(
    EncryptionAlgorithm.RsaOaep256, 
    plaintext);
```

## Key Rotation

```csharp
// Rotate key (creates new version)
KeyVaultKey rotatedKey = await client.RotateKeyAsync("my-rsa-key");
Console.WriteLine($"New version: {rotatedKey.Properties.Version}");

// Get rotation policy
KeyRotationPolicy policy = await client.GetKeyRotationPolicyAsync("my-rsa-key");

// Update rotation policy
policy.ExpiresIn = "P90D"; // 90 days
policy.LifetimeActions.Add(new KeyRotationLifetimeAction
{
    Action = KeyRotationPolicyAction.Rotate,
    TimeBeforeExpiry = "P30D" // Rotate 30 days before expiry
});

await client.UpdateKeyRotationPolicyAsync("my-rsa-key", policy);
```

## Key Types Reference

| Type | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| `KeyClient` | Key management operations |
| `CryptographyClient` | Cryptographic operations |
| `KeyResolver` | Resolve key ID to CryptographyClient |
| `KeyVaultKey` | Key with cryptographic material |
| `KeyProperties` | Key metadata (no crypto material) |
| `CreateRsaKeyOptions` | RSA key creation options |
| `CreateEcKeyOptions` | EC key creation options |
| `CreateOctKeyOptions` | Symmetric key options |
| `EncryptResult` | Encryption result |
| `DecryptResult` | Decryption result |
| `SignResult` | Signing result |
| `VerifyResult` | Verification result |
| `WrapResult` | Key wrap result |
| `UnwrapResult` | Key unwrap result |

## Algorithms Reference

### Encryption Algorithms
| Algorithm | Key Type | Description |
|-----------|----------|-------------|
| `RsaOaep` | RSA | RSA-OAEP |
| `RsaOaep256` | RSA | RSA-OAEP-256 |
| `Rsa15` | RSA | RSA 1.5 (legacy) |
| `A128Gcm` | Oct | AES-128-GCM |
| `A256Gcm` | Oct | AES-256-GCM |

### Signature Algorithms
| Algorithm | Key Type | Description |
|-----------|----------|-------------|
| `RS256` | RSA | RSASSA-PKCS1-v1_5 SHA-256 |
| `RS384` | RSA | RSASSA-PKCS1-v1_5 SHA-384 |
| `RS512` | RSA | RSASSA-PKCS1-v1_5 SHA-512 |
| `PS256` | RSA | RSASSA-PSS SHA-256 |
| `ES256` | EC | ECDSA P-256 SHA-256 |
| `ES384` | EC | ECDSA P-384 SHA-384 |
| `ES512` | EC | ECDSA P-521 SHA-512 |

### Key Wrap Algorithms
| Algorithm | Key Type | Description |
|-----------|----------|-------------|
| `RsaOaep` | RSA | RSA-OAEP |
| `RsaOaep256` | RSA | RSA-OAEP-256 |
| `A128KW` | Oct | AES-128 Key Wrap |
| `A256KW` | Oct | AES-256 Key Wrap |

## Best Practices

1. **Use Managed Identity** — Prefer `DefaultAzureCredential` over secrets
2. **Enable soft-delete** — Protect against accidental deletion
3. **Use HSM-backed keys** — Set `HardwareProtected = true` for sensitive keys
4. **Implement key rotation** — Use automatic rotation policies
5. **Limit key operations** — Only enable required `KeyOperations`
6. **Set expiration dates** — Always set `ExpiresOn` for keys
7. **Use specific versions** — Pin to versions in production
8. **Cache CryptographyClient** — Reuse for multiple operations

## Error Handling

```csharp
using Azure;

try
{
    KeyVaultKey key = await client.GetKeyAsync("my-key");
}
catch (RequestFailedException ex) when (ex.Status == 404)
{
    Console.WriteLine("Key not found");
}
catch (RequestFailedException ex) when (ex.Status == 403)
{
    Console.WriteLine("Access denied - check RBAC permissions");
}
catch (RequestFailedException ex)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"Key Vault error: {ex.Status} - {ex.Message}");
}
```

## Required RBAC Roles

| Role | Permissions |
|------|-------------|
| Key Vault Crypto Officer | Full key management |
| Key Vault Crypto User | Use keys for crypto operations |
| Key Vault Reader | Read key metadata |

## Related SDKs

| SDK | Purpose | Install |
|-----|---------|---------|
| `Azure.Security.KeyVault.Keys` | Keys (this SDK) | `dotnet add package Azure.Security.KeyVault.Keys` |
| `Azure.Security.KeyVault.Secrets` | Secrets | `dotnet add package Azure.Security.KeyVault.Secrets` |
| `Azure.Security.KeyVault.Certificates` | Certificates | `dotnet add package Azure.Security.KeyVault.Certificates` |
| `Azure.Identity` | Authentication | `dotnet add package Azure.Identity` |

## Reference Links

| Resource | URL |
|----------|-----|
| NuGet Package | https://www.nuget.org/packages/Azure.Security.KeyVault.Keys |
| API Reference | https://learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/api/azure.security.keyvault.keys |
| Quickstart | https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/key-vault/keys/quick-create-net |
| GitHub Source | https://github.com/Azure/azure-sdk-for-net/tree/main/sdk/keyvault/Azure.Security.KeyVault.Keys |