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How to set up Data Encryption Keys in Salesforce

Data Encryption Keys is the Setup page for managing per-tenant encryption keys (Tenant Secrets) used by Shield Platform Encryption. It's effectively a synonym for Key Management, but the URL and breadcrumb may differ depending on Salesforce release.

By Dipojjal Chakrabarti · Editor, Salesforce DictionaryLast updated Apr 20, 2026

Data Encryption Keys is the Setup page for managing per-tenant encryption keys (Tenant Secrets) used by Shield Platform Encryption. It's effectively a synonym for Key Management, but the URL and breadcrumb may differ depending on Salesforce release.

  1. Open Setup → Data Encryption Keys (or Key Management)

    Setup gear → Quick Find: Data Encryption → Data Encryption Keys. May redirect to Key Management depending on org age.

  2. Review active and archived Tenant Secrets

    Each Tenant Secret has a status (Active / Archived) and a creation date.

  3. Click Generate Tenant Secret to rotate

    Salesforce generates a new Tenant Secret. The previous one auto-archives.

  4. For BYOK: upload your own key

    Bring Your Own Key path: generate a key in your HSM/KMS, encrypt with the Salesforce-provided certificate, and upload.

  5. Manage destruction (rare)

    Destroyed Tenant Secrets cannot decrypt past data. Don't destroy unless you're certain no data references the key.

Key options
Tenant Secret Typeremember

Salesforce-Managed / BYOK.

Statusremember

Active (encrypts new writes) / Archived (decrypts existing data) / Destroyed (cannot decrypt).

Generate Tenant Secretremember

Rotate to a new key. Auto-archives the previous Active key.

Gotchas
  • Destroying a Tenant Secret destroys access to all data encrypted with it. Salesforce keeps Archived keys forever by design — don't destroy unless you've verified no data references the key.
  • Key rotation is not automatic. Admins must manually trigger Generate Tenant Secret. NIST recommends annual rotation; some compliance regimes require more frequent.
  • BYOK adds operational complexity. Lose the key in your HSM, and your data becomes permanently unrecoverable. Most orgs use Salesforce-Managed Tenant Secrets.

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