In modern software development, applications rely on a variety of sensitive credentials—API keys, database passwords, encryption keys, and more—to operate smoothly. These so-called “secrets” are the lifeblood of your applications, but if mishandled, they can open the door to devastating breaches and malicious exploits. In this article, we delve into why secrets management is essential, the risks associated with poor practices, and actionable best practices to secure these vital elements throughout the software development lifecycle. Whether you’re working at a startup or steering a large enterprise, mastering secrets management is crucial for safeguarding your systems and maintaining customer trust.
