Technology related to accessing security hardware keys is disclosed. In one example, a method includes receiving an initial request to perform a first cryptographic operation using a key stored in security hardware circuitry. In response to servicing the initial request, a persistent attribute of the key can be used to query the security hardware circuitry to receive a volatile attribute of the key. The volatile attribute of the key can be stored external to the security hardware circuitry to enable subsequent requests to perform cryptographic operations on the security hardware circuitry without querying the security hardware circuitry for the volatile attribute of the key. A subsequent request referencing the key can be received. The subsequent request can be serviced by using the security hardware circuitry and identifying the key using the stored volatile attribute of the key without querying the security hardware circuitry for the volatile attribute of the key.