Microsoft Corporation
Cryptographic key generation using external entropy generation

Abstract:

Generation of a cryptographic key using one of multiple possible entropy generation components that may provide input entropy. A key generation component provides an interface that exposes one or more characteristics for input entropy to be used to generate a cryptographic key. For applications that are more sensitive to improper key discovery, higher degrees of input entropy may be used to guard against key discovery. During key generation, the key generation component connects with an appropriate entropy generation component via the interface. For instance, the entropy generation component may be selected or adjusted so that it does indeed provide the input entropy meeting the characteristics described by the interface. The key generation component receives the input entropy via the interface, and then uses the input entropy to generate the cryptographic key.