How to Securely Manage Secrets Across DevOps Tools, CLIs, and SDKs
Secrets such as API tokens, credentials, SSH keys, and certificates are critical for software delivery automation. But as DevOps environments grow, managing these secrets securely becomes harder. Hardcoding secrets in scripts, storing them in plain text, reusing of secrets or sharing them manually creates significant risk where attackers actively target exposed credentials.
Securden Password Vault along with the feature- DevOps Secrets Management addresses these issues by securely storing secrets, enforcing access controls, and integrating with automation tools like Jenkins, Ansible, Chef, Puppet, and Terraform—as well as CLI environments and SDKs used in internal systems.
Eliminate Hardcoded Secrets and Enable Secure Automation
Securden allows teams to store and retrieve secrets securely across CI/CD pipelines, command-line environments, and programmatic interfaces. Whether you’re automating with Jenkins or Ansible, working in the terminal, or building internal tools that require access to secrets, Securden ensures they're never exposed in plaintext or config files.
Secrets are securely retrieved through REST APIs, plugins and scripts for popular DevOps tools, command-line interfaces (CLI) and SDKs. Secrets are delivered just-in-time at runtime to prevent misuse or accidental exposure.
Some common DevOps Challenges this feature solves
- No centralized control to track usage, manage access, reuse secrets, or revoke permissions across tools and teams
- Hardcoded secrets in source code, config files, or scripts
- Manual sharing of secrets increasing risk and inefficiency
- Scattered secrets across tools, teams, and environments
- Inconsistent access control across DevOps pipelines
- No centralized visibility or audit trail of secret usage
- Security gaps in CLI usage or custom tools using hardcoded credentials
Key Capabilities
Securden’s DevOps Secrets Management offers end-to-end control over secrets handling:
- Centralized Vault for All DevOps Secrets
Secure storage of SSH keys, API tokens, database passwords, and other secrets - REST API Access
Using the comprehensive set of APIs provided by Securden you can retrieve secrets, perform various secure operations on them and many more - CLI and SDK Access
Retrieve secrets securely via command-line tools used by DevOps and IT teams or integrate programmatically using SDKs to embed secure access into custom applications - Tool Integrations
Out-of-the-box support for Jenkins, Ansible, Terraform, Chef, and Puppet - Runtime Secrets Delivery
Deliver secrets dynamically into workflows without persisting them in code - Granular Access Controls
With Securden Password Vault perform Role-based permissions to control who can access which secrets - Complete Audit Trails
Track who accesses what and when with complete logs that supports compliance and security reviews
Key Benefits
Implementing DevOps Secrets Management brings measurable benefits across security, productivity, and compliance, including:
- Eliminates risks of hardcoded or exposed secrets in scripts and pipelines
- Protects credentials across tools, CLIs, and SDK-based applications
- Enhances DevOps security by delivering secrets only when required
- Eliminates manual handling and enables secure, controlled access to secrets
- Centralizes control to improve governance and simplify audits
- Supports Zero Trust by enforcing least-privilege, just-in-time access
- Boosts operational efficiency without disrupting DevOps agility
FAQs
DevOps secrets management in Enterprise Password Managers helps in securely storing, accessing, and rotating sensitive credentials like API tokens, SSH keys, and passwords used in CI/CD pipelines, scripts, and automation tools. It helps prevent credential leaks, unauthorized access, and ensures compliance with security best practices.
You can eliminate hardcoded secrets by integrating a centralized secrets vault that injects secrets dynamically at runtime. Tools, CLIs, and SDKs can retrieve secrets securely via APIs without storing them in code, config files, or environment variables.
Storing secrets in plain text or scripts exposes them to insider threats, accidental leaks via version control, and automated credential harvesting by attackers. This practice can lead to data breaches, non-compliance, and compromised environments.
Enterprise password managers with DevOps secrets management feature, eg. Securden Password Vault for Enterprises integrate with CI/CD tools using plugins, scripts, or APIs. Secrets are pulled securely at runtime, ensuring they are never exposed in job configurations, logs, or build artifacts.
Yes, secrets can be securely retrieved via command-line tools and SDKs. This enables DevOps teams and developers to embed secure access into scripts or internal applications while following access control policies.
You can store a wide range of secrets, including SSH keys, API tokens, database credentials, TLS certificates, service account passwords, and cloud provider access keys.
Just-in-time delivery ensures secrets are injected into workflows only when needed and removed immediately after use. This reduces the attack surface and prevents secrets from being stored or reused insecurely.
Role-based access controls (RBAC) let you define who can view, retrieve, or manage specific secrets. Permissions can be set per user, group, or system, ensuring least-privilege access.
Yes, enterprise password managers with DevOps secrets management feature, eg. Securden Password Vault for Enterprises provides detailed audit logs showing who accessed which secret, when, and from where. This supports compliance and helps detect anomalies or misuse.
