Source URL: https://vincent.bernat.ch/en/blog/2025-offline-pki-yubikeys
Source: Hacker News
Title: Offline PKI using 3 Yubikeys and an ARM single board computer
Feedly Summary: Comments
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: The text discusses the implementation of an offline Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) system using YubiKeys and an air-gapped environment, enhancing security against network threats. This approach is particularly relevant for professionals in cryptography, information security, and infrastructure security, focusing on hardware solutions and secure key management practices.
Detailed Description:
The provided text thoroughly outlines the construction and operational framework of an offline Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) system, designed to enhance security by isolating the certificate authority (CA) from potential network threats. The notable components and processes include:
– **Key Components**:
– **YubiKeys**: Used to store certificates securely, with two dedicated for the root CA and another for the intermediate CA.
– **Libre Computer Sweet Potato**: An air-gapped single board computer utilized to run the offline PKI operations.
– **System Setup**:
– An air-gapped environment is critical for maintaining the security of the root CA, ensuring that cryptographic operations are not exposed to network vulnerabilities.
– The guide specifies how to manage multiple YubiKeys for redundancy in root CA storage and the management of cryptographic operations via a Python application called `offline-pki`.
– **Operational Steps**:
– Resetting of YubiKeys.
– Generating root and intermediate CAs through specific commands in the `offline-pki` application, detailing how to inspect keys and certificates once created.
– The importance of keeping the physical keys secure and the resulting certifications backed up, potentially in secure storage.
– **Nix Package Management**:
– Utilization of Nix for creating a development environment for the PKI application and facilitating deployment on different architectures (e.g., ARM64 SBCs).
– Commands to run the application locally or within a QEMU VM demonstrate practical engagement with the software.
– **Security Implications**:
– Emphasizes the need for implements an air-gapped solution to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive cryptographic information.
– Encourages a structured approach to key management and policy enforcement that complies with best practices for cryptographic materials.
Overall, this text is highly relevant for security and compliance professionals seeking to implement robust cryptographic solutions that emphasize offline security measures, hardware security practices, and organizational governance related to key management. The document provides both practical steps and assumptions crucial for maintaining the integrity of a PKI in a potentially hostile digital landscape.