An information handling system includes a first node configured to generate a random alphanumeric string, to receive a cipher text and a key from an enterprise key management server, and to decrypt the cipher text using the key and an algorithm to generate a first decrypted value. The first node compares the random alphanumeric string with the first decrypted value to verify the key that is received at the first node. A second node receives the cipher text, the key, and the algorithm from the first node in response to the first decrypted value matching the random alphanumeric string. The second node decrypts the cipher text using the key and the algorithm to generate a second decrypted value, and the first node compares the second decrypted value with the random alphanumeric string to verify the key that is received at the second node. A self-encrypting drive receives the key from the second node in response to the second decrypted value matching the random alphanumeric string, and uses the key upon authentication of the key by the second node.