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Alibaba Cloud Key Management Service
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What Alibaba Cloud Key Management Service is
Alibaba Cloud Key Management Service is a cloud service for managing encryption keys, available through the web. It supports customer-managed keys, key import, automatic key rotation, audit logs, and HSM-backed keys. Supported key types include both types listed by the service. Default keys are provided at no charge for server-side encryption of Alibaba Cloud services, including free service keys and customer master keys.
For workloads that need an instance, the Software Key Management Instance costs $500 a month on a prepaid subscription. It includes 1,000 QPS and 1,000 keys, with 0 secrets and 0 data keys. The Hardware Key Management Instance costs $1,799 a month on a prepaid subscription, with 2,000 QPS and 1,000 keys, also with 0 secrets and 0 data keys. The service has a free plan alongside these paid instance options. Its combination of customer-managed and imported keys, rotation, audit logs, and HSM-backed keys serves teams handling encryption keys in Alibaba Cloud. Visit the Alibaba Cloud product site to learn about the service.
Who it suits
It suits teams that need to manage encryption keys in a cloud deployment, including those using customer-managed or imported keys. The free default keys may suit server-side encryption for Alibaba Cloud services, while paid software and hardware instances offer separate QPS capacities.
What it does well
- Default keys are provided at no charge for Alibaba Cloud service encryption.
- Supports customer-managed keys and key import.
- Automatic key rotation and audit logs are available.
- HSM-backed keys are supported.
- Software and hardware instance options are offered.
What to know first
- Software instance includes 0 secrets and 0 data keys.
- Hardware instance includes 0 secrets and 0 data keys.
- Software Key Management Instance costs $500 a month.
- Hardware Key Management Instance costs $1,799 a month.
Limits
The Software Key Management Instance includes 1,000 QPS and 1,000 keys, with 0 secrets and 0 data keys. The Hardware Key Management Instance includes 2,000 QPS and 1,000 keys, also with 0 secrets and 0 data keys.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Default keys | Default keys are provided at no charge · Server-side encryption for Alibaba Cloud services · Free service keys and customer master keys | On request |
| Software Key Management Instance | Subscription (prepaid) · 1,000 QPS · 1,000 keys · 0 secrets · 0 data keys | $500 a month |
| Hardware Key Management Instance | Subscription (prepaid) · 2,000 QPS · 1,000 keys · 0 secrets · 0 data keys | $1,799 a month |
As alibabacloud.com lists them, read 20 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Alibaba Cloud product website.
- Use the no-charge default keys for server-side encryption of Alibaba Cloud services, or select an instance plan.
- Choose the Software Key Management Instance at $500 a month or the Hardware Key Management Instance at $1,799 a month.
- Subscribe to a selected instance on a prepaid basis.
Verdict
Choose Alibaba Cloud Key Management Service if you need cloud key management with customer-managed keys, rotation, audit logs, or HSM-backed keys. Default keys cover server-side encryption for Alibaba Cloud services at no charge. Look elsewhere if your chosen instance needs secrets or data keys, since both listed instance plans include zero of each.
Questions
Is Alibaba Cloud Key Management Service free?
Default keys for server-side encryption of Alibaba Cloud services are provided at no charge. The service also lists a free plan, while paid instances start at $500 a month.
What does the Software Key Management Instance cost?
It costs $500 a month, billed by prepaid subscription. It includes 1,000 QPS, 1,000 keys, 0 secrets, and 0 data keys.
What does the Hardware Key Management Instance cost?
It costs $1,799 a month, billed by prepaid subscription. It includes 2,000 QPS, 1,000 keys, 0 secrets, and 0 data keys.
Which key management capabilities are listed?
The service supports customer-managed keys, key import, automatic key rotation, audit logs, and HSM-backed keys. It supports both listed key types.
Where can I use the service?
The listed platform is web, and the deployment model is cloud.
Where Alibaba Cloud Key Management Service stands on Freedom251
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