Safeguarding secrets in CI/CD pipelines
In a prior blog post where we outlined three essential methods to secure your AWS platform, we underscored the prevalent issue of secrets management as a leading security vulnerability. Building upon that insight, this blog post delves deeper into the challenges surrounding the management and security of sensitive data within a CI/CD pipeline.
Core principles for secrets management
The foundation of effective secrets management lies in three key principles:
Separation from application code
Storing secrets separately from application code is paramount. This prevents inadvertent exposure of sensitive information and ensures that security is not compromised even if the codebase is accessible. This separation serves as a fundamental step in bolstering the overall security posture of an application.
Dynamic retrieval by applications
Enabling applications to dynamically fetch secrets from external sources adds a layer of flexibility and security. This approach facilitates updates to secrets without requiring code changes, making it easier to manage and rotate credentials when necessary. Dynamic retrieval mitigates the risks associated with hardcoded secrets and enhances the adaptability of the system.
Periodic rotation of secrets
Rotating secrets at regular intervals is a proactive measure against potential security breaches. By establishing processes that facilitate automated or manual rotation, organisations can minimise the window of vulnerability. Timely rotation becomes crucial, especially in response to security events or breaches in the pipeline, ensuring that compromised credentials are swiftly rendered obsolete.
AWS Secrets Manager and HashiCorp Vault
In the realm of AWS, the default recommendation for managing application secrets is AWS Secrets Manager. This service provides a secure and centralised solution for storing, retrieving, and rotating secrets. Its integration with AWS services and the ability to automate rotation make it a compelling choice for many organisations.
For those seeking alternatives, HashiCorp Vault emerges as a robust option. Vault offers a comprehensive secrets management solution with features like dynamic secret generation, encryption as a service, and fine-grained access controls. Its versatility makes it suitable for diverse application architectures, and it excels in scenarios where customization and control are paramount.
