Key Manager

A Key is a series of numbers or symbols that are used to encode a message so that it can only be read by someone in possession of that key or a related key. A key allows both the sender and the recipient of the message to understand how the message has been encrypted and assures them that nobody else knows how it has been encrypted. It is the key that enables the recipient to properly decode the message.

Adeptia Connect uses two different keys - a public key, to encrypt the message, and a private key, to decrypt it. The public key can only be used to encrypt the message and the private key can only be used to decrypt it. To secure information between two users, the sender encrypts the message using the public key of the receiver. The receiver then uses the private key to decrypt the message.

Adeptia Connect store the keys in the Key Manager. This feature enables you to manage both types of keys - public and private. These keys are further used to apply encryption and decryption in Adeptia Connect entities.

Key Manager uses the following two types of key managers:

  • PGP - This type of key manager contains two keys - public key and private key. You can use this type of key manager in your data security activity for encryption and decryption of data.
  • SSH - This type of key manager contains only one key, that is, private key. You can use this type of key manager to communicate to an SFTP server.

This page assists you how to:

Creating a Key Manager Activity

To create a key manager activity:

  1. Click Configure > SECURITY > Key Manager.

  2. Click Create Key Manager

  3. Provide the name and description of the new key manager service in the Name and Description text boxes.



  4. Select the key manager type - PGP or SSH.

  5. The next step differs depending on the chosen key manager type.
    If you choose PGP, then do the following:
    1. Select whether you want to import a Key or Key Ring.
      Key: Contains only a single key. 
      Key Ring: Contains multiple keys. On choosing this option, Key Manager stores all the keys in the Key Ring.
    2. Select the key type - Public or Private. 
      Public: Encrypts the data.
      Private: Decrypts an encrypted data.
    3. Browse to and select the key. The path of the key will be displayed in the Key.
    If you choose SSH, then do the following:
    1. Select the key type - Public or Private. 
      Public: Encrypts the data.
      Private: Decrypts an encrypted data.
    2. Browse to and select the key. The path of the key will be displayed in the Key.
    3. Type the private key password and confirm it. Only the private keys require the password. The fields Private Key Password and Confirm Password will only be enabled if you select Private from the Key Type.
  6. Expand Advanced Properties and select the Project from drop-down list of Project.
  7. Click Save.

Similarly, you can create a Key Manager activity to decrypt an encrypted file received by the Connect Server. The key manager activity to decrypt an encrypted file requires the Private Key and only the private keys require a password.

Importing Key or Key Ring

Follow the steps below to import a key or a key ring into your Key Manager:

  1. Click Configure > SECURITY > Key Manager.
  2. On the Key Manager screen, click  >  Import Key Ring (Public/Private).



  3. On the Import window, select whether you want to import a Key or Key Ring.
    Key: Contains only a single key. 
    Key Ring: Contains multiple keys. On choosing this option, Key Manager stores all the keys in the Key Ring.
  4. Select the key type - Public or Private. 
    Public: Encrypts the data.
    Private: Decrypts an encrypted data.
  5. Browse to and select the key. The path of the key will be displayed in the Key File Path.



  6. Click Submit.