Implementation Guide › Implementation Overview › SiteMinder Components › Data Stores › Key Store

Key Store

(Required) By default, the SiteMinder key store (key store) is located with the policy store. The purpose of this component is to store the encryption keys Policy Servers and Agents use to encrypt sensitive data, which include:

• The keys Agents use to encrypt SiteMinder cookies.
• The keys Policy Servers use to encrypt sensitive policy store information, such as administrator passwords.
• The keys Policy Servers use to encrypt SiteMinder session tickets that contain credentials and other information related to user sessions.

You can store encryption keys in a separate directory or database. The need to deploy a separate key store depends on:

• How you implement Policy Servers and policy stores
• Your single sign–on requirements

Note: For more information about configuring a key store, see the documentation roadmap.