Dual Control

Dual control is a security measure used to safeguard sensitive functions or information by requiring the involvement of two or more separate entities, typically individuals, to perform certain actions or access specific materials. This method is commonly employed to ensure that no single person can independently execute or control vulnerable processes, thereby significantly reducing the risk of fraud, theft, or unauthorized actions.

In practice, dual control can be applied to a variety of scenarios, such as accessing a safe, transferring large sums of money, or managing cryptographic keys. For instance, in cryptographic key management, dual control means that no single individual has complete knowledge or access to a cryptographic key. Instead, the responsibilities and knowledge are divided among multiple authorized personnel. This requirement ensures that all sensitive operations, such as manual key generation, conveyance, loading, storage, and retrieval, can only be conducted under the joint authorization and supervision of at least two people.

Dual control is closely related to the concept of split knowledge, where sensitive information is divided among multiple holders and requires pooling together for access or reconstruction. This approach enhances security protocols and compliance with regulatory standards, ensuring that critical operations are conducted securely and transparently. (See also Split Knowledge)