---
title: Pre-Authn and Post Data Preservation Cookie Signing Value
description: The key to sign pre-authentication cookies and POST data preservation cookies.
component: java-agents
version: 2025.11
page_id: java-agents:properties-reference:org.forgerock.agents.cookie.signing.value
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/java-agents/2025.11/properties-reference/org.forgerock.agents.cookie.signing.value.html
---

# Pre-Authn and Post Data Preservation Cookie Signing Value

The key to sign pre-authentication cookies and POST data preservation cookies.

The key is set during installation, when the agent requests the path to a file containing the cookie signing key, and then uses the key to set the cookie signing value in the `AgentKey.properties` file. For information about how to set or change the key after installation, see [Rotate cookie signing keys](../security-guide/keys.html#change-cookie-signing-keys).

For security, you are recommended to configure cookie signing. The agent does not sign cookies when:

* The path to the signing key is left blank during installation.

* The signing key in the `AgentKey.properties` file is less than 64-characters long.

|                          |                                                                               |
| ------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Property name            | `org.forgerock.agents.cookie.signing.value`                                   |
| Aliases                  | `org.forgerock.agents.cookie.signing.value`   Introduced in Java Agent 5.10.0 |
| Function                 | Cookie, POST data preservation, Pre-authentication                            |
| Type                     | String                                                                        |
| Bootstrap property       | No                                                                            |
| Required property        | No                                                                            |
| Restart required         | Yes - Restart the container after changing the property                       |
| Local configuration file | `AgentKey.properties`                                                         |