Understanding DNSKEY Records

What is a DNSKEY Record?

A DNSKEY record is a crucial component of DNSSEC (DNS Security Extensions) that stores public keys used to verify signed DNS records. These records form the foundation of the DNSSEC trust chain.

domain.com.    IN    DNSKEY    flags protocol algorithm public-key

# Zone-Signing Key (ZSK)
example.com.    IN    DNSKEY    256 3 13 mDCG8...

# Key-Signing Key (KSK)
example.com.    IN    DNSKEY    257 3 13 kL9X...

Common Uses

• Implementing DNSSEC for domain security
• Providing cryptographic verification of DNS records
• Establishing trust chains in DNS hierarchy
• Protecting against DNS spoofing and cache poisoning
• Validating the authenticity of DNS responses

Best Practices

• ✓
  Key rotation schedule

  Implement regular key rotation schedules for both ZSK and KSK to maintain security.

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  Proper key management

  Securely store private keys and maintain proper backup procedures.

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  Algorithm selection

  Use modern, recommended algorithms like ECDSAP256SHA256 (13) or ECDSAP384SHA384 (14).

Common Pitfalls

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  Improper key management

  Poor key management can lead to DNSSEC failures and domain unavailability.

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  Expired signatures

  Not re-signing zones before signature expiration can break DNSSEC validation.

• ⚠️
  Incorrect algorithms

  Using deprecated or unsupported algorithms can cause compatibility issues.

Advanced Tips

Security Considerations

• 🔒
  Private Key Security

  Store private keys in secure, isolated environments with strict access controls.

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  Algorithm Selection

  Choose cryptographically strong algorithms and maintain awareness of algorithm deprecation.

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  Key Ceremony

  Follow proper key ceremony procedures when generating and managing KSK and ZSK pairs.