Cloud Encryption with Key Management

  • Release version: Yokohama
  • Updated May 21, 2026
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Cloud Encryption with Key Management

    ServiceNow® Cloud Encryption provides encrypted storage for your database using block encryption combined with advanced key management capabilities. It is available through the ServiceNow® Platform Encryption subscription bundle and supports both ServiceNow-managed and customer-managed encryption keys. This solution enhances data security by enabling segregation of duties, key rotation, and customer control of key operations without requiring keys to be hosted on your own infrastructure.

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    Key Features

    • Key Management Operations: View and manage encryption keys, perform key rotations, and withdraw customer-managed keys through a dedicated interface accessible to security administrators with the appropriate roles.
    • Customer-Managed Keys (BYOK): Bring your own encryption key and control key operations such as rotation and withdrawal, while ServiceNow holds the key on its infrastructure.
    • Quorum Control Policy: When key withdrawal is enabled, configure quorum settings to define the minimum number of approvals needed for customer-managed key withdrawal, enhancing control and security.
    • Key Management Transactions: Track all key-related transactions for auditing and compliance purposes.
    • Tamper Detection: Detect unauthorized changes to quorum control settings to maintain the integrity of key management policies.
    • Supported Environments: Cloud Encryption supports production and non-production instances running MariaDB and RaptorDB databases, and is available on ServiceNow Commercial Cloud, Government Customer Cloud (GCC) pod 101, and ServiceNow Protected Platform – Australia (SPP-AU).

    Licensing and Enablement

    Cloud Encryption requires the Platform Encryption subscription bundle. New licensed instances come with Cloud Encryption enabled by default. For existing licensed instances, customers with appropriate admin roles can request enablement through the Service Catalog, which requires a one-hour maintenance window. Additional optional add-ons support features like key withdrawal and quorum control.

    Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers

    • Improves security by encrypting database storage and managing encryption keys with strict access controls.
    • Empowers customers to maintain control over encryption keys without hosting keys on their own infrastructure.
    • Supports compliance with security policies through key rotation, transaction logging, and tamper detection.
    • Facilitates operational flexibility with options to bring your own keys, rotate keys, and withdraw keys if needed.
    • Enables streamlined administration via a dedicated Cloud Encryption UI accessible to authorized security administrators.

    ServiceNow® Cloud Encryption offers encrypted storage for the database using block encryption, along with enhanced key management. Cloud Encryption is available with the ServiceNow® Platform Encryption subscription bundle.

    Cloud Encryption offers:
    • Segregation of duties.
    • Rotation of ServiceNow Managed keys.
    • Customer-Managed keys option.
      Note:
      With customer-managed keys, ServiceNow holds the encryption key on its infrastructure, but you perform key operations on it. Managing your key means you can bring your own key material (BYOK), rotate ServiceNow-managed or customer-managed keys, and withdraw your key. Keys aren't hosted on your own infrastructure. See Key management operations for details.

    The following diagram shows how Cloud Encryption works.

    Cloud Encryption overview diagram
    The Cloud Encryption Key Management module consists of the following submodules:
    • Key management operations:
      • Access the list of keys.
      • Perform key rotation operations.
      • Withdraw customer-managed key.
    • Key management transactions:

      Reference all transactions that have occurred for the keys that have been used. Bring your own encryption key (BYOK) for use with Cloud Encryption.

      Use your own customer-managed key for encryption.

    In certain circumstances, you may opt for a key withdrawal request when using a customer-managed key. To do so, you must license the Cloud Encryption Withdraw and Resupply optional add-on SKU and then request the key withdrawal functionality be activated by a Customer Service and Support team member.

    The Quorum Control Policy Settings option becomes available when the withdrawal feature is activated, otherwise the module isn’t visible on the menu. This feature can be activated only when using customer-managed keys. This policy enables settings to be configured regarding quorum when the withdrawal feature is activated. For more details on this feature, see Quorum Control Policy.

    Cloud Encryption supports production and non-production instances for MariaDB and RaptorDB databases. Cloud Encryption is supported in the ServiceNow Commercial Cloud, Government Customer Cloud (GCC) pod 101, and ServiceNow Protected Platform – Australia (SPP-AU).

    Licensing and enabling Cloud Encryption

    For information about licensing Cloud Encryption, see Encryption and Key Management subscription bundle.

    For licensed customers with new instances, the new instance provisioning will include Cloud Encryption.

    For licensed customers with existing instances, to request an instance be moved to Cloud Encryption, follow the instructions in KB1117369. You must have the customer admin or partner admin role to request the Service Catalog item to Enable Cloud Encryption on your instance. Enabling this feature requires a one-hour maintenance window.

    Cloud Encryption UI

    When Cloud Encryption is enabled, the Cloud Encryption user interface (UI) is visible to the security_admin user when this user has the sn_kmf.admin role.

    To access the Cloud Encryption UI by searching for Cloud Encryption Key Management in the navigation bar. Navigate to the Key Management Operations section to see information about encryption keys, such as details of the active key, and whether Cloud Encryption is enabled for the instance.