Patent attributes
Embodiments include an apparatus for securing customer data and include a processor, and one or more stored sequences of instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to store an encrypted first key fragment in a first storage area, store an encrypted second key fragment in a separate second storage area, wherein access to the first storage area and to the second storage area is mutually exclusive. The instructions further cause the processor to decrypt the encrypted first key fragment and the encrypted second key fragment using a key set and keys associated with a hardware security module based on receiving a request to derive a master key. The master key is derived using the decrypted first key fragment and the decrypted second key fragment and stored in an in-memory cache. The master key is used to encrypt or to decrypt encrypted customer data.