Abstract:

Secrets in IT systems encompass all authentication data that provide access to protected resources, such as passwords, certificates, API keys, tokens, and cryptographic keys. In contemporary distributed environments, particularly those utilizing cloud architectures and microservices, credentials are more frequently exchanged between systems instead of users, increasing the risk of compromise. Inadequate secret management has resulted in significant security incidents, including data breaches caused by hardcoded passwords in source code or accidental exposure in repositories.