Cryptographic keys should be secured ______________.

The primary rationale for securing cryptographic keys to a level at least as high as the data they can decrypt lies in the principle of information security. Cryptographic keys play a crucial role in protecting sensitive information. If a key is compromised, the data it encrypts is also at risk. Therefore, the security of the keys must reflect the sensitivity of the data they are meant to protect.

In practice, this may involve implementing robust access controls, physical security measures, audit trails, and regular key rotation or revocation processes that correspond to the classification of the encrypted data. For example, if the data is classified as highly confidential, the keys must also be stored and managed in a highly secure environment, mitigating the risk of unauthorized access.

This approach not only regards the technical aspects of key management but also reflects a holistic view of security, ensuring that the potential impact of unauthorized access to the keys is acknowledged and addressed appropriately.