APIs now account for most internet traffic, making API keys critical but also highly vulnerable. Keys often serve as the only line of defense yet are frequently exposed through hard coding, plaintext storage, or insecure sharing. Their static nature, lack of rotation, and widespread reuse magnify risks, as seen in major breaches where compromised keys enabled attackers to access sensitive systems. Storing keys in private repositories or communication channels further increases exposure. To mitigate threats, organizations need centralized secrets management with encryption, automated key rotation, and dynamic secrets to reduce sprawl, improve compliance, and secure operations.

Join for free to read