ISO/IEC 11770-1:2010定义了密钥管理的通用模型，该模型独立于任何特定加密算法的使用。然而，某些密钥分配机制可能取决于特定的算法属性，例如，非对称算法的属性。 ISO/IEC 11770-1:2010包含基本了解后续零件所需的材料。 ISO 11568中包括使用密钥管理机制的示例。如果密钥管理需要不可否认性，则ISO/IEC 13888适用。 ISO/IEC 11770-1:2010阐述了密钥管理的自动和手动方面，包括用于获取密钥管理服务的数据元素和操作序列的概述。但是，它没有详细说明可能需要的协议交换。 与其他安全服务一样，密钥管理只能在定义的安全策略的上下文中提供。 安全策略的定义不在ISO/IEC 11770的范围内。 基本问题是建立密钥材料，其来源、完整性、及时性和（在密钥的情况下）机密性可以保证给直接和间接用户。密钥管理包括根据安全策略（ISO 7498-2）生成、存储、分发、删除和归档密钥材料等功能。 ISO/IEC 11770-1:2010与开放系统的安全框架（ISO/IEC 10181）有特殊关系。包括本框架在内的所有框架都确定了涵盖不同安全方面的机制的基本概念和特征。

ISO/IEC 11770-1:2010 defines a general model of key management that is independent of the use of any particular cryptographic algorithm. However, certain key distribution mechanisms can depend on particular algorithm properties, for example, properties of asymmetric algorithms. ISO/IEC 11770-1:2010 contains the material required for a basic understanding of subsequent parts. Examples of the use of key management mechanisms are included in ISO 11568. If non-repudiation is required for key management, ISO/IEC 13888 is applicable. ISO/IEC 11770-1:2010 addresses both the automated and manual aspects of key management, including outlines of data elements and sequences of operations that are used to obtain key management services. However it does not specify details of protocol exchanges that might be needed. As with other security services, key management can only be provided within the context of a defined security policy. The definition of security policies is outside the scope of ISO/IEC 11770. The fundamental problem is to establish keying material whose origin, integrity, timeliness and (in the case of secret keys) confidentiality can be guaranteed to both direct and indirect users. Key management includes functions such as the generation, storage, distribution, deletion and archiving of keying material in accordance with a security policy (ISO 7498-2). ISO/IEC 11770-1:2010 has a special relationship to the security frameworks for open systems (ISO/IEC 10181). All the frameworks, including this one, identify the basic concepts and characteristics of mechanisms covering different aspects of security.