Key facts
| Definition | Customer-supplied and customer-controlled keys used by an AI platform |
| Two meanings | Provider API keys behind a gateway, and encryption keys protecting your data |
| Why it matters | Credential custody, billing control, revocation speed and compliance evidence |
| Plugsky approach | Private deployments route model traffic through infrastructure you control, with account and audit controls on the platform side |
| Operational duties | Rotation schedules, secret storage, scoped permissions and revocation drills |
| Related controls | RBAC, SSO, audit logs and data residency policies |
| Status | Enterprise deployment options are available; confirm key-custody details for your deployment model with sales or docs |
| Common trap | Treating BYOK as a compliance checkbox without a rotation and revocation process |
TL;DR
- BYOK covers two different things: provider API keys and encryption keys.
- You gain custody and control; you also gain rotation and revocation duties.
- Scope each key to the minimum permissions and one purpose.
- Test revocation before you need it in an incident.
- Pair BYOK with audit logging so key use is attributable.
How it works, step by step
- Decide which keys you bring: model provider credentials, encryption keys, or both.
- Define the custody model — who can read, rotate and revoke each key.
- Store keys in a managed secret store or hardware module, never in code or plain config.
- Scope permissions so a leaked key cannot exceed its intended purpose.
- Automate rotation and rehearse revocation on a schedule.
- Log key usage and review it against expected workloads.
Try it yourself
Open the private LLM cost estimator →
The two BYOK models
First, provider keys: you give an AI platform your own model-provider credentials so requests are billed to you and revocable by you. Second, encryption keys: you hold the keys that protect stored data, so the platform cannot read it without your participation. Some products mean the first, some the second, and enterprise contracts mix both. Clarify which one a vendor means before treating BYOK as a security control.
When BYOK helps
- Procurement: security reviews often require customer-controlled credentials.
- Billing: model spend stays on your provider account with your negotiated rates.
- Incident response: you can revoke a key immediately without waiting on a vendor.
- Multi-provider strategy: you keep the relationship and can switch gateways.
- Audit evidence: key ownership and usage logs demonstrate control.
If none of these apply, provider-managed keys are simpler and reduce operational risk.
Common mistakes
- Storing the key in source control or a plain-text environment file.
- Issuing one all-powerful key for every environment and team.
- Never rotating because rotation requires downtime you have not rehearsed.
- Assuming BYOK removes the vendor from your compliance scope — it changes custody, not data flow.
- Forgetting that logs and telemetry may still be provider-visible under a BYOK contract.
How Plugsky fits
Plugsky can run in deployment models where model serving and data stay inside your environment — your VPC, on-prem or air-gapped — so credentials and traffic remain under your control. On the platform side, API keys are scoped and revocable, RBAC and SSO govern access, and audit logs record usage. The OpenAI-compatible API means key and endpoint changes do not require application rewrites. Key-custody specifics depend on the deployment model, so confirm them in the docs or with sales during design.
Honest comparison
| Model | Who holds keys | Main benefit | Main duty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provider-managed keys | The platform | Simplest operation | Trust the provider |
| BYOK provider keys | Your team | Custody and billing control | Rotation and revocation |
| BYOK encryption keys | Your team | Platform cannot read data alone | Key availability management |
| Private deployment | Your environment | Full control of keys and traffic | Run the infrastructure |
Frequently asked questions
What does BYOK mean for AI?
Bring your own key: your organization supplies and controls the credentials an AI platform uses — either model provider API keys, encryption keys protecting your data, or both.
Is BYOK the same as a private deployment?
No. BYOK is about key custody; a private deployment is about where processing happens. They combine well: a VPC or on-prem deployment can also use customer-controlled keys.
Does BYOK make a provider compliant for us?
Not by itself. It changes who controls credentials, but data still flows to the platform unless you also choose a private deployment. Map both custody and data location.
How often should BYOK keys rotate?
Follow your security policy — commonly every 90 days or on staff changes. Automate rotation and rehearse revocation so it is a routine operation, not an incident.
What happens if a BYOK key leaks?
With scoped keys, blast radius is limited to that key's permissions. Revoke it immediately, rotate, and use audit logs to establish what it accessed.
Can Plugsky work with keys I control?
Plugsky supports deployment models — VPC, on-prem and air-gapped — where serving and traffic stay in your environment under your credentials. Confirm the custody details for your chosen deployment with the team.