Remember when you used to jot down passwords on sticky notes? Well, those days are long gone. In today’s world of data pipelines, secrets, similar to API keys, are like digital VIP passes. They open doors to critical systems and keep sensitive info on lockdown. At Cribl, we’re all about top-notch data security, and that means guarding your secrets like treasure. Let’s dive into our game plan for keeping secrets safe throughout the entire software development lifecycle (SDLC).

Imagine leaving your house keys on your front porch. You wouldn’t do that, right? It’s basically an open invitation for anyone to walk in and help themselves to your belongings. Storing API keys or passwords in plain text is the digital equivalent of this risky behavior. It makes it incredibly easy for anyone with access to your codebase to grab those keys and potentially wreak havoc on your systems. At Cribl, we understand the critical importance of keeping these digital keys secure, and we’ve implemented robust measures to ensure they are well-protected.

What’s a Secret, Anyway?

Think of secrets and API keys as the secret handshakes of the software world. Just like a secret handshake between friends, these keys and secrets ensure that only the right systems, services, and applications can access each other’s data. It’s like having a backstage pass that grants you access to exclusive areas while keeping everyone else out. Whether it’s accessing a database, connecting to an external service, or integrating different systems, these secrets ensure that the communication is secure and trustworthy.

At Cribl, we understand that our customers rely on us as their trusted data engine for IT and Security. They trust us with their most sensitive information, and we take that responsibility very seriously. Protecting these digital keys is not just about keeping data safe; it’s about maintaining that trust and ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of the information exchanged through our platform.

Imagine if these secrets fell into the wrong hands. It would be like someone getting a hold of your personal passwords or the PIN to your bank account. The consequences could be disastrous, leading to unauthorized access, data breaches, and a loss of trust. That’s why we go to great lengths to protect these secrets and ensure they’re handled with the utmost care.

Our approach to securing secrets involves multiple layers of protection. We use industry-standard tools and practices to store and manage these keys securely. This includes using key management systems (KMS) that are designed specifically to keep secrets safe. By leveraging the robust security features of these systems, we avoid the pitfalls of trying to create our own solutions and can focus on what we do best: delivering a secure and reliable platform for our customers.

In essence, secrets and API keys are the lifeline of secure communication in the digital world. They play a crucial role in maintaining the security and integrity of data exchanges. And at Cribl, we’re committed to ensuring these secrets are guarded with the highest level of security, so our customers can continue to trust us with their most valuable information. Here’s a peek at some of the key strategies we use to secure secrets in our SDLC.

Our Security Strategy

At Cribl, we recognize that the security of our customers’ data hinges on how well we protect these keys. That’s why we’ve put a lot of thought and effort into developing a robust security strategy.

Encryption: Why Plain Text is a No-Go

When you store API keys, passwords, or any sensitive credentials in plain text, you’re leaving them out in the open, completely unprotected. It’s like putting your valuables in a clear glass box with no lock – anyone can see and take them. If a hacker or unauthorized user gains access to your repository or configuration files, they can easily extract these secrets and use them to infiltrate your systems, steal data, or cause other forms of damage.

One of the fundamental steps our goats take is to encrypt sensitive data. Encryption converts plain text into a coded format that can only be deciphered by a Cribl goat with the correct decryption key. This means that even if someone outside of our herd were to intercept the data, they wouldn’t be able to understand it without the proper credentials.

Secure Storage Solutions

Our goats don’t just rely on basic methods; one of the key components in our security arsenal is the use of Key Management Systems (KMS). Designed specifically for secure storage and management of secrets, these systems are purpose-built with strong security features that protect against unauthorized access and breaches. By utilizing KMS, we benefit from the robust security mechanisms that come with them, such as:

• Encryption: KMS encrypts secrets both at rest and in transit, ensuring that even if intercepted, the data remains unreadable without the proper decryption keys.
• Access Control: KMS allows us to define who can access specific keys and under what conditions, providing fine-grained control over our secrets.
• Auditing and Monitoring: With KMS, we can track access to keys and monitor for any suspicious activity, adding an extra layer of security.

Access Control

We implement strict access controls to ensure that only authorized goats can access sensitive information. This means setting up role-based access controls (RBAC) where access to secrets is granted based on the goat’s role and necessity. This minimizes the number of critters who can access sensitive data, thereby reducing the risk of accidental or malicious exposure.

Regular Audits and Monitoring

Continuous monitoring and regular security audits by our dedicated security goats as well as contracted third-parties are a critical part of our strategy. Our security goats, along with a suite of best-in-class tools, keep an eye on access logs and look for any unusual activities that could indicate a security threat. Regular audits help us identify and fix potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

Automated Secret Detection

We use automated tools to scan our codebase for any accidentally hard-coded secrets. These tools alert us immediately if they find any sensitive information stored in plain text, allowing us to take swift action to secure it.

Cribl relies on industry-standard tools for secure secret storage and retrieval whether you are an on-premise customer or live in our cloud platform. We don’t rely on ad-hoc methods; we use tried-and-tested tools designed specifically for this purpose. These tools provide encryption, access controls, and auditing capabilities that are crucial for maintaining the auditable security posture our customers demand.

Education and Training

Security is part of every goat’s job at Cribl. A significant part of our approach involves educating our team about best practices for handling sensitive information. We provide ongoing training to ensure everyone understands the importance of security and knows how to handle secrets properly. Through training on secure coding practices and workflows, we ensure everyone knows how to keep secrets safe and what to do if something goes wrong. Our Security Champions program keeps security conversations fresh and relevant, helping our developers stay ahead of potential threats.

Stand On the Shoulders of Giants and Avoid Risky DIY Solutions

Creating our own solutions for secret management would be a risky and time-consuming endeavor. DIY approaches like this lead to vulnerabilities, inconsistencies, and potential security gaps. Instead, by using established tools and systems, we ensure that our secret management practices are robust, reliable, and in line with industry best practices.

By leveraging the security mechanisms built into native cloud platforms, our goats stand on the shoulders of giants. These platforms have invested heavily in creating secure and reliable systems, allowing us to benefit from their expertise and resources. This approach enhances our security posture and allows us to focus on our core mission – delivering the innovative solutions our customers demand.

Continuous Improvement by Innovating Faster and More Securely

With secure secret storage and retrieval mechanisms in place, we can innovate faster knowing our foundational aspects of security are handled by these robust systems. This allows our developers to focus on building new features and improving our platform, all while knowing that our secrets are safe and a framework of tools are in place to verify and reinforce that foundation.

Security is a journey, not a destination. At Cribl, we continuously review and improve our secret management practices. We stay updated with the latest advancements in security technology and incorporate them into our workflows. This proactive approach ensures that the software our goats develop is always one step ahead of potential threats and can provide our customers with the highest level of security.

The Result?

By implementing these robust measures, we ensure that our digital keys are kept secure. Our customers can have peace of mind knowing that their data is protected by multiple layers of security. This commitment to safeguarding sensitive information is part of what makes Cribl a trusted name and the data engine for IT and Security.

We invite you to read Cribl’s secure SDLC whitepaper to learn more about our approach to building secure software and join us in our mission to build a better world for security and IT teams.

Cribl, the Data Engine for IT and Security, empowers organizations to transform their data strategy. Customers use Cribl’s suite of products to collect, process, route, and analyze all IT and security data, delivering the flexibility, choice, and control required to adapt to their ever-changing needs.

We offer free training, certifications, and a free tier across our products. Our community Slack features Cribl engineers, partners, and customers who can answer your questions as you get started and continue to build and evolve. We also offer a variety of hands-on Sandboxes for those interested in how companies globally leverage our products for their data challenges.