Why Vault++ is a Must-Have for AWS Secrets Manager Users

AWS Secrets Manager is a powerful tool for securely storing and managing secrets, but it is not a complete solution on its own. It lacks key security features such as automated leak detection, just-in-time access controls, and proactive secret rotation in CI/CD workflows.

Vault++ complements AWS Secrets Manager by enhancing its security, automation, and developer experience, making it an essential addition for teams relying on AWS.

1. Understanding AWS Secrets Manager​

AWS Secrets Manager is a managed secrets storage service designed for native integration with AWS. It allows users to store and retrieve secrets such as database credentials, API keys, and OAuth tokens.

Strengths of AWS Secrets Manager​

• Native AWS Integration

  • Seamlessly integrates with AWS services like Lambda, RDS, and ECS.
  • Supports IAM-based authentication and access control.

• Automated Secret Rotation (for select AWS services)

  • Can rotate secrets for RDS, DocumentDB, and Redshift without custom logic.
  • Manual intervention required for non-AWS services.

• AWS Identity & Access Management (IAM) Control

  • Uses IAM roles and policies for fine-grained access control.
  • Requires deep knowledge of IAM permissions for proper security configuration.

Limitations of AWS Secrets Manager​

• No automated leak detection. AWS does not prevent secrets from being exposed in code repositories.
• Limited secret rotation. Only works automatically for AWS services, requiring custom Lambda functions for external integrations.
• No just-in-time access controls. Lacks developer-friendly features for requesting temporary access to secrets.
• No granular CI/CD security. AWS Secrets Manager is not designed for DevSecOps workflows, requiring additional tools to enforce security best practices.

2. How Vault++ Enhances AWS Secrets Manager​

Vault++ does not replace AWS Secrets Manager but instead empowers it with additional security features to fill the gaps in AWS’s built-in offering.

Key Features of Vault++​

• Automated Leak Detection

  • Prevents secrets from leaking by scanning before they reach GitHub, GitLab, or other repositories.
  • Uses context-aware scanning to reduce false positives.

• Seamless Secret Rotation for Any Service

  • Works with AWS and non-AWS services without custom Lambda functions.
  • Supports Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, and third-party cloud services.

• Just-in-Time Access & Merge Requests

  • Developers can request temporary access to secrets without exposing them permanently.
  • Ensures least-privilege, time-bound access to minimize risk.

• Zero-Knowledge Encryption for Maximum Privacy

  • Secrets are encrypted client-side before storage, ensuring that even Vault++ cannot access them.

• CI/CD Security & Integration

  • Works natively with GitHub Actions, GitLab CI/CD, Jenkins, and Kubernetes.
  • Ensures that secrets are only accessible when and where they are needed.

• Flexible Deployment

  • Supports hybrid and multi-cloud environments, unlike AWS Secrets Manager which is AWS-only.
  • Sync secrets to AWS Secrets Manager to leverage its native integrations with AWS services.

3. Side-by-Side Comparison Table​

4. Why AWS Secrets Manager Users Need Vault++​

If you only use AWS Secrets Manager, you may be leaving security gaps that Vault++ can fill.

• Prevent secrets from being leaked. AWS does not scan for exposed secrets, while Vault++ stops leaks before they happen.
• Automate secret rotation for any service. AWS only rotates secrets for a limited set of services, whereas Vault++ enables rotation across all platforms.
• Enable just-in-time access requests. Reduce risk by granting temporary access to secrets instead of long-term exposure.
• Improve CI/CD security. AWS Secrets Manager is not built for CI/CD security, while Vault++ integrates natively into DevOps workflows.

Conclusion: AWS Secrets Manager + Vault++ = Complete Security​

AWS Secrets Manager is a great tool for storing secrets within AWS, but it lacks critical security features for secrets protection, rotation, and CI/CD security.

Vault++ complements AWS Secrets Manager by adding leak detection, automation, and proactive security controls—making it a must-have for teams relying on AWS.

Secure your AWS secrets with Vault++ today and prevent security risks before they happen.