Azure Key Vault
Azure Key Vault is a cloud-based service for securely storing and managing sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, secrets, and certificates. It provides centralized key management, hardware security module (HSM)-backed protection, and fine-grained access control through Azure Active Directory integration. Developers use it to safeguard application secrets, manage encryption keys, and ensure compliance with security standards.
Developers should use Azure Key Vault when building applications on Azure that require secure storage of secrets like API keys, connection strings, or certificates, especially in cloud-native or microservices architectures. It is essential for scenarios involving data encryption, digital signatures, or regulatory compliance (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA), as it offloads security management to a trusted service and reduces the risk of hardcoded secrets in code.