What is the correct order for destroying keymat?

The correct order for destroying keymat, or cryptographic keys, is crucial for maintaining information security and ensuring that outdated or obsolete keys cannot be reused maliciously. The sequence of destruction is established to follow a logical process that prioritizes the security of the most current keys first.

In this case, the order is to first destroy the superseded keys, which are those that are no longer in active use but may have been in use previously. Destroying these keys prevents any potential exposure or unauthorized access that could occur if an old key remains recoverable.

Next, the effective keys, which are the keys currently in use, should be destroyed when they are changed or replaced. This ensures that any sensitive data encrypted with those keys cannot be decrypted if an adversary gains access to the key material after it is no longer needed.

Finally, the reserve keys, which are usually backup keys kept for emergencies or recovery purposes, are destroyed last. These keys may temporarily be set aside for potential use in certain scenarios, but they should also be securely eliminated when they are no longer required.

This systematic approach—superseded first, effective second, and reserve last—ensures that the most critical keys are compromised as little as possible and are rendered useless in a timely