In key management, what practice prevents the indefinite vulnerability of a compromised key?

The practice that effectively prevents the indefinite vulnerability of a compromised key involves key rotation. Key rotation refers to the process of regularly changing cryptographic keys used in securing data. When a key is compromised, its continued use can expose sensitive information, leading to security breaches. By frequently updating or rotating keys, the potential exploit window for an attacker is significantly narrowed because even if a key is compromised, its usefulness is temporary.

Implementing key rotation establishes a proactive security measure that ensures sensitive data remains protected. It limits an attacker's ability to use a compromised key long-term, thus enhancing overall system integrity and confidentiality. Regular key updates force adversaries to continuously alter their tactics, reducing the risk of exploitation from compromised keys in the long run.