Why should cryptographic keys not be stored in public source code repositories?

Cryptographic keys should not be stored in public source code repositories primarily to prevent key compromise. When keys are stored in publicly accessible locations, anyone with access to those repositories can easily discover and misuse those keys. This potentially leads to unauthorized access to secure systems and sensitive data, nullifying the security measures intended to protect that information.

The integrity of cryptographic systems relies heavily on the secrecy of the keys. If an attacker gains access to these keys, they can decrypt sensitive information or impersonate authorized users, which can have catastrophic consequences for the organization's security posture. Therefore, safeguarding cryptographic keys is paramount in maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of data.

Other options address different aspects of cybersecurity but are not the primary reasons for avoiding storage of keys in public repositories. For instance, while data dispersion and key rotation are important concepts in cybersecurity, they do not directly speak to the risk associated with exposing keys to the public.