Embodiments of an invention for loading and virtualizing cryptographic keys are disclosed. In one embodiment, a processor includes a local key storage location, a backup key storage location, and execution hardware. Neither the local key storage location nor the backup key storage location is readable by software. The execution hardware is to perform a first operation and a second operation. The first operation includes loading a cryptographic key into the local key storage location. The second operation includes copying the cryptographic key from the local key storage location to the backup key storage location.