Implement and manage secrets keys and certificates by using Azure Key Vault

Azure Key Vault is a centralized solution for securely storing and managing secrets, cryptographic keys, and certificates in Azure. It helps enforce access policies, integrate with DevOps workflows, and maintain compliance with regulatory standards.

Table of Contents

1. Overview
2. Core Features
3. Managing Secrets
4. Managing Cryptographic Keys
5. Managing Certificates
6. Authentication and Authorization
7. Access Policies
8. Monitoring and Logging
9. DevOps and CI/CD Integration
10. Automation
11. Best Practices
12. Demo: Creating and Managing Secrets
13. References

Overview

Azure Key Vault streamlines security operations by centralizing storage for secrets, keys, and certificates. It offers:

• Secure secret, key, and certificate storage
• Hardware Security Module (HSM) protection
• Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) with Azure Active Directory
• Comprehensive logging via Azure Monitor and Azure Security Center
• Automated key rotation and certificate renewal

Core Features

Secure Storage and Management

Azure Key Vault uses certified Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) to protect your data.

Access Control

Integrate with Azure Active Directory to apply RBAC, granting least-privilege access to secrets, keys, and certificates.

Logging and Monitoring

Stream diagnostic logs to Azure Monitor and Security Center to audit every operation and maintain compliance.

Managing Secrets

Secrets include API keys, passwords, and connection strings needed at runtime.

Common Use Cases

Create a Secret

You can use the Azure Portal, CLI, or SDKs.

Azure CLI example:

az keyvault secret set \
  --vault-name MyKeyVault \
  --name "api-token" \
  --value "mySecretValue"

Retrieve a Secret

az keyvault secret show \
  --vault-name MyKeyVault \
  --name "api-token"

Secret Versioning

Azure Key Vault retains previous versions, supporting rotation and rollback.

Managing Cryptographic Keys

Support for RSA and Elliptic Curve keys enables encryption, decryption, signing, and verification.

Generate a Key (Azure CLI)

az keyvault key create \
  --vault-name MyKeyVault \
  --name "myRSAKey" \
  --kty RSA \
  --size 2048

Key Rotation and Expiration

Automate rotation to minimize risk by defining policies.

az keyvault key rotation-policy update \
  --vault-name MyKeyVault \
  --name "myRSAKey" \
  --expires "P90D" \
  --lifetime-actions "[{'trigger':{'lifetimePercentage':85},'action':{'type':'Rotate'}}]"

Managing Certificates

Azure Key Vault handles SSL/TLS, client authentication, and code-signing certificates.

Certificate lifecycle: issuance, renewal, and revocation.

Automatic renewal prevents disruptions by integrating with certificate authorities.

Authentication and Authorization

Azure Active Directory manages authentication, while RBAC defines authorization for vault objects.

Common roles: Owner, Contributor, Reader.

Access Policies

Fine-grained permissions can be assigned for secrets, keys, and certificates via portal, CLI, or PowerShell.

Monitoring and Logging

Enable diagnostic logging to capture vault operations and feed them into Azure Monitor for alerts and dashboards.

DevOps and CI/CD Integration

Retrieve secrets dynamically in build and release pipelines. Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, and Jenkins all support Key Vault integration.

Applications authenticate to Key Vault using managed identities or service principals.

Automation

Automate routine tasks—rotation, renewal, and policy updates—using Azure Automation, Logic Apps, or PowerShell.

Best Practices

• Apply the principle of least privilege.
• Regularly review and update access policies.
• Rotate secrets, keys, and certificates on a schedule.
• Use managed identities to avoid credential leaks.

Demo: Creating and Managing Secrets

1. In the Azure Portal, go to your Key Vault and select Secrets.
2. Click Generate/Import, provide a name and value, then click Create.
3. To view or rotate, select the secret and choose New Version.

References

• Azure Key Vault Documentation
• Azure CLI Key Vault Commands
• Azure Active Directory RBAC