API Key Security Best Practices

Learn how to securely store, manage, and share API keys and secrets. Protect your applications from credential exposure and security breaches.

Why API Key Security Matters

Exposed API keys are one of the leading causes of security breaches. Attackers use automated tools to scan code repositories, public pastes, and chat logs for credentials. A single exposed key can lead to data breaches, unauthorized charges, and service abuse.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Hardcoding in Source Code

Never embed API keys directly in your code. Keys in source files end up in version control, build artifacts, and can be extracted from compiled applications.

Committing to Git

Even if you delete a key from your code, it remains in git history forever. Attackers actively scan public repositories for exposed credentials.

Sharing via Chat or Email

Credentials shared in Slack, Teams, or email remain searchable indefinitely. These platforms aren't designed for secure secret transmission.

Using the Same Key Everywhere

Reusing API keys across environments (dev, staging, prod) or services increases blast radius if one key is compromised.

Security Best Practices

Use Environment Variables

Store API keys in environment variables that are injected at runtime. This keeps secrets out of your codebase and allows different values per environment.

  • Use .env files for local development (add to .gitignore)
  • Use platform secrets management for production
  • Never log environment variable values

Implement Secret Rotation

Regularly rotate API keys to limit the impact of potential exposure. Automated rotation reduces the window of vulnerability if a key is compromised.

  • Set up automatic key rotation schedules
  • Ensure your app can handle key updates gracefully
  • Keep old keys active briefly during rotation

Apply Least Privilege

Create API keys with only the permissions needed for their specific use case. Avoid using admin or full-access keys when limited permissions suffice.

  • Create separate keys for different services
  • Use read-only keys when writes aren't needed
  • Restrict keys to specific IP ranges or domains

Use a Secrets Manager

Enterprise teams should consider dedicated secrets management solutions that provide encryption, access control, audit logging, and rotation.

  • HashiCorp Vault, AWS Secrets Manager, Azure Key Vault
  • Centralized access control and audit trails
  • Automatic secret injection into applications

Monitor and Audit Access

Enable logging for API key usage to detect unusual patterns. Set up alerts for suspicious activity like requests from unexpected locations.

  • Review API usage logs regularly
  • Set up anomaly detection alerts
  • Track which team members access which secrets

Quick Reference: Do's and Don'ts

Do

  • Store keys in environment variables or secrets managers
  • Use different keys for development, staging, and production
  • Rotate keys regularly and after any suspected exposure
  • Restrict key permissions to only what's needed
  • Use self-destructing links when sharing keys with teammates
  • Revoke keys immediately when team members leave
  • Enable API key usage monitoring and alerts

Don't

  • Hardcode API keys in source code
  • Commit keys to version control (even private repos)
  • Share keys via Slack, email, or chat platforms
  • Use production keys in development environments
  • Share keys with more people than necessary
  • Ignore key expiration warnings
  • Store keys in plain text files on servers

Secure Sharing When You Must

Sometimes you need to share an API key with a teammate, contractor, or collaborator. When that happens, avoid chat and email. Use a secure, self-destructing link that ensures the key is viewed once and then permanently deleted.

  • One-time access ensures the key isn't left in message history
  • End-to-end encryption protects the key during transmission
  • Automatic destruction means no cleanup needed

Need to Share a Secret Securely?

When you need to share an API key, password, or credential with someone, use SnapPwd to create a secure, self-destructing link. No signup required.

Share a Secret Securely