Have questions about how Double Key Encryption works that we didn't cover elsewhere? Check for an answer here.
What Microsoft 365 Apps can I use with DKE?
You can use DKE labels to protect documents using the desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook on Windows. To ensure that you're using a supported version of Office apps, see the capabilities tables and the row Double Key Encryption (DKE).
Can I use Double Key Encryption with Microsoft Office built-in sensitivity labeling?
Yes! Use can use built-in sensitivity labeling with Office apps. For information, see the capabilities tables and the row Double Key Encryption (DKE). While you can use the information protection client to protect documents with Double Key Encryption for now, this method will be deprecated in the future.
How is Double Key Encryption different from the existing hold your own key (HYOK) solution?
Double Key Encryption encrypts your data with two keys. Your encryption key is in your control and the second key is stored in Microsoft Azure, allowing you to move your encrypted data to the cloud. HYOK protects your content with only one key and the key is always on premises.
Can Double Key Encrypted documents be shared externally?
You can share Double Key Encrypted documents with users on a separate tenant as long as those users:
Have the required permission to access your key in your Double Key Encryption service.
Have the required permission to access your key in Microsoft Azure.
What happens to documents that are protected with HYOK?
Deploying Double Key Encryption doesn't affect your existing HYOK setup. However, we recommend that you start using Double Key Encryption in parallel with HYOK.
Can I run Double Key Encryption in my non-Microsoft air-gapped environment?
DKE doesn't support these environments because the service requires access to Microsoft Azure.
Where can I store Double Key Encrypted documents?
You can store Double Key Encrypted documents on-premises or in the cloud. In the cloud, you can move encrypted content to SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business. Since Microsoft doesn't have access to your private key, the encrypted data remains opaque to Microsoft. Because the data is opaque to Microsoft services, you can't view the encrypted documents online in Office Web Apps.
What regions and languages is Double Key Encryption available in? Is Double Key Encryption available worldwide?
DKE labels are localized to the same languages as other sensitivity labels in Microsoft Purview Information Protection. Double Key Encryption is available worldwide.
Can I convert a non-DKE label to a DKE label?
No. You can’t add DKE to a label after you create it. Instead, you must choose Use Double Key Encryption and provide the URL of your Double Key Encryption service when you create the label.
How do I roll my DKE keys?
For instructions on rolling (also called rotating or rekeying) the key you store in Azure, see Operations for your Azure Information Protection tenant key. See Tenant and key settings for information on creating a new key for the DKE service. When you create a key, you set up a name and a GUID. Then, if you rotate a key, you keep the old record with the name and GUID but add a new record with the same name but different GUID. The new key gets set as active so that the public key API starts returning it for new encryption. Both keys are available for decryption so that new content and old content can be decrypted.
Why can't I access Double Key Encrypted documents?
The right to view DKE-protected content requires users to authenticate to endpoints managed by your organization. If users in your organization can't view DKE-protected content, review the key access settings configuration.