A credential vault is a secure system for managing authentication credentials in automated environments like DevOps and Robotic Process Automation (RPA). It serves as an abstraction layer between applications and various authentication methods, eliminating the need to hard-code credentials into software.

Key benefits of credential vaults:

• Enhanced security by avoiding hard-coded credentials
• Future-proofing through flexible authentication methods
• Simplified credential management across different systems
• Centralized control and monitoring
• Easy credential rotation and updates

How credential vaults work:

1. Applications request credentials through an API
2. The vault authenticates the request (typically using PKI certificates)
3. Upon successful authentication, the vault provides the necessary credentials
4. The requesting application uses these credentials to access target systems

Security considerations:

• Vaults can be deployed on-premises, in the cloud, or as hybrid solutions
• Master keys should be properly protected, often kept in-house
• PKI-based authentication is recommended for automated systems
• Regular credential rotation and monitoring are essential

Implementation options:

• Hardware security appliances
• Hardened servers
• Cloud-based solutions
• Hybrid deployments with on-premises key storage

Modern enterprises commonly use credential vaults within:

• Privileged Access Management (PAM) systems
• DevOps automation tools
• RPA platforms
• Low-code development environments

Best practices include using certificate-based authentication for automated systems rather than human-oriented methods like passwords or two-factor authentication, and maintaining proper security controls for master keys.

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