Fornetix VaultCore vs OpenKCM (Open Key Chain Manager)

Fornetix VaultCore is an encryption key management ecosystem that automates key lifecycle work across an enterprise. It combines attribute-based and role-based access controls with a policy engine that arranges the enterprise in a hierarchy intended to support security-standard compliance. VaultCore supports more than one hundred million encryption keys. It connects directly to systems using KMIP, and its Orchestration Gateway converts KMIP commands into APIs for systems that do not. Gateway plugins include AWS, Microsoft Azure, and F5, with support for custom proprietary systems. Deployment choices include hardware, virtual, and cloud appliances, plus the Orchestration Gateway. Listed interfaces range from a graphical user interface, command line, and REST services to KMIP API, client and agent, and HSM PKCS#11. Cloud capabilities include Bring Your Own Key, Cloud Access Security Brokers, multi-cloud, and VMware and AWS cloud containers. VaultCore can respond to Splunk SIEM alerts with rapid rekeying and create audit logs in Common Event Format. Pricing is on request, and a 30-day free trial is advertised. The listed software version is 2.6.2, with technical support ending June 30, 2026.

OpenKCM (Open Key Chain Manager) is a free, open-source key management service for governing encryption keys and protecting data at rest. It supports BYOK key import and HYOK, which keeps master keys in a customer’s infrastructure. Its recursive L1–L4 hierarchy makes data keys dependent on higher-level keys. Governance and policy control are handled by CMK, while Krypton performs cryptographic execution; applications request key operations through the KMIP API.

The Gateway is designed to run near applications, such as in Kubernetes or a cloud VPC, and the same software can operate across AWS, Azure and on-premise environments. Customer root keys can remain in AWS, Azure or GCP key services, or on-premise HSMs, while OpenKCM holds a reference to the L1 key. A kill switch can halt downstream key use by removing that reference or revoking the root key. CMK connects to a corporate identity provider and sends audit logs to SIEM systems. The project’s CMK and Krypton components are actively being developed; encryption and decryption operations are in progress, while audit export, high availability and disaster recovery are planned for 2027.