Why secrets management is the key to cloud security

Why secrets management is the key to cloud security

Overview of solution landscape

At Doppler, we understand that secrets management has emerged as a critical discipline of cybersecurity. In an era where cloud computing, containers, serverless technologies, and microservices reign supreme, the proliferation of secrets has skyrocketed. This explosion is due to how applications and systems interconnect via APIs and services in complex, diverse environments. The allure of cloud computing lies in its abstraction, yet this convenience comes at a cost: organizations surrender direct control over the infrastructure that processes and stores their data. This complexity combined with an ever-widening attack surface, demands a reevaluation of secrets management strategies.

Today, safeguarding secrets is more imperative than ever. The accelerated growth of data breaches, insider threats, and compromised API keys has awakened organizations to the stark reality: exposed secrets are the gateway to their most valued assets. 49% of breaches involve credentials, with 86% of web application attacks stemming from stolen credentials*. The repercussions of such breaches are severe, ranging from eroded customer trust and hefty compliance penalties to irreversible damage to brand integrity. Developing a robust secrets management strategy can no longer be an afterthought but a fundamental pillar of an organization's cybersecurity program.

As we step into 2024, the landscape of secrets management continues to evolve at a brisk pace, keeping up with modern application architectures and security demands. While organizations acknowledge the importance of secrets management, many still rely on ad-hoc, fragmented solutions cobbled together over time. Dot env files, hardcoded secrets, and plain-text files continue to be commonplace. However, enterprises recognize these approaches are no longer sustainable in the long term. As security shifts earlier in the software development lifecycle (SDLC), organizations seek solutions that balance usability and security. Developers seek tools that integrate into their workflows with minimal friction. Platform engineering teams want to embed security best practices into their infrastructure. Security teams aim to maintain governance without stifling innovation.

In this series of posts, we examine how various secrets management solutions address key challenges in developer productivity, ease of use, and security. We explore multi-cloud platforms, single-cloud managers, open-source projects, and homegrown solutions. Our goal is to highlight the path toward more secure, efficient, and user-friendly secrets management practices that align with the evolving needs of modern enterprises.

The chart below summarizes how Doppler compares to other solutions and tools available in the marketplace. Please contact us for additional information about how Doppler can help your organization in 2024 and beyond.

*Footnotes: https://www.verizon.com/business/resources/reports/dbir/