An approach is provided for securely storing sensitive data. A system is provided that includes a central device configured to receive a key from a requester, to obtain a new key associated with the key, and to transmit the new key to the requestor, and a storage device for storing the new key in association with the key. Also, a secure system is provided that includes a parsing unit that parses an actual data value into a first data field and a second data field, a key generation unit that generates a key, a first process that transmits the key to a central manager and receives a new key associated with the key from the central manager, and at least one storage device configured to store the first data field in association with the key, and to store the second data field in association with the new key.