Vault
Vault is an open-source tool from HashiCorp for securely managing secrets, such as API keys, passwords, and certificates, through encryption, access control, and auditing. It provides a centralized system to store, access, and distribute sensitive data across applications and infrastructure, supporting dynamic secrets, encryption as a service, and identity-based access. It is widely used in DevOps and cloud environments to enhance security and compliance.
Developers should learn Vault when building secure applications that handle sensitive data, especially in microservices, cloud-native, or hybrid environments where secrets management is critical. It is essential for implementing zero-trust security models, automating credential rotation, and meeting compliance requirements like GDPR or HIPAA, as it reduces the risk of secret exposure and simplifies access management.