1. A method for enabling an applied key management operation at a client, the method comprising: establishing a data connection with a file kernel driver of the client to enable the applied key management operation; receiving from the file kernel driver a request pertaining to encryption key data; relaying the request pertaining to the encryption key data to an applied key management system; and receiving a response to the request from the applied key management system based on at least one policy of the applied key management system, wherein the file kernel driver is configured to substitute a key file with a link to invoke the applied key management operation; and wherein the link to invoke the applied key management operation causes the applied key management operation to be executed in response to a file access operation being executed on an encryption key material.