Systems and methods of managing keystroke data in embedded keyboard environments may involve transferring a mode request from a management controller to an embedded controller of a keyboard via a dedicated communication channel. Keystroke activity can be detected at the keyboard, and keystroke data may be transferred from the embedded controller to the management controller via the dedicated communication channel in response to the keystroke activity and the mode request. In addition, the management controller may be used to encrypt the keystroke data, wherein the encrypted keystroke data can be transmitted from the management controller to an off-platform service via a network controller.