AWS Vault: A Secure Solution to AWS Credentials
As we all know, keeping credentials safe in the cloud computing environment is a big requirement for organizations. The AWS Vault project on GitHub, developed by 99designs, is targeted at addressing this security concern by providing a secure means to store and access AWS credentials. In the era of data leaks and breaches, secure storage and access of sensitive elements like AWS keys are essential to maintain the integrity and privacy of the data.
Project Overview:
AWS Vault is a solution designed to handle the complexities of AWS (Amazon Web Services) credentials securely. Essentially, it leverages OS-level keychains to securely store these credentials and helps in managing AWS access keys in a more secure and convenient way. This project is geared towards developers, AWS administrators, and any individual or organization leveraging AWS and concerned about securely managing AWS access.
Project Features:
Key features of the AWS Vault project include secure storage and usage of AWS credentials, MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) support, and IAM (Identity Access Management) support. Moreover, it allows for exec capabilities for running arbitrary commands with AWS credentials, which provides users with a great deal of flexibility. For instance, users can run the AWS CLI under a named profile using just a line of command, and AWS Vault will ensure it’s done securely.
Technology Stack:
AWS Vault is written in Go language, well-known for its simplicity, efficiency, and powerful in-built facilities to write concurrent programs. Its reliance on the Keychain on MacOS and the Credential Manager on Windows speaks to its focus on utilizing the built-in secure credential management systems of operating systems. This choice empowers the project in its quest for security and reliability.
Project Structure and Architecture:
The AWS Vault project is organized into several parts, including vault, keyring, generators and handlers. The vault handles the core logic of storing, retrieving, and deleting AWS keys. Keyring provides a cross-platform interface for the system keychain, while the handlers and generators contribute to the efficient handling MFA tokens and generating session tokens respectively.
