Glossary

Secret references provide a way for developers to use sensitive credentials, such as API keys, database passwords, and encryption keys, without directly embedding them in code or configuration files. Instead of hardcoding secrets, a reference acts as a placeholder that retrieves the actual value securely at runtime. This approach enhances security, reduces exposure risk, and simplifies secret management across environments.

By using secret references, teams can keep sensitive information out of source code repositories, preventing accidental leaks. These references often integrate with secrets management tools, cloud services, or environment variables, ensuring that applications have access to the credentials they need without compromising security.

One of the key benefits of secret references is their ability to decouple secrets from application code. This makes it easier to rotate credentials, enforce access controls, and maintain compliance with security best practices. For example, instead of storing a database password in a configuration file, an application can reference a secret stored in a secure vault. When the secret is updated, all applications using the reference automatically retrieve the new value without requiring manual updates.

Secret references also improve collaboration and operational efficiency. Developers can build and deploy applications without needing direct access to production secrets, reducing the risk of human error and unauthorized exposure. Additionally, security teams gain better visibility and control over how secrets are accessed and used, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and internal security policies.