Kubernetes Secrets Are Not Secret Management — Vault, ESO, CSI Driver, and Production Security…
This article clarifies that Kubernetes Secrets are primarily for storing sensitive data like passwords and certificates, not for managing their lifecycle. It highlights that Kubernetes Secrets offer basic storage, RBAC control, and namespace isolation but lack crucial features such as automatic rotation, dynamic credentials, revocation, and centralized auditing. To achieve robust secret management, organizations must integrate dedicated platforms like HashiCorp Vault or utilize operators such as External Secrets Operator (ESO) and the Secrets Store CSI Driver, which address these lifecycle management gaps. AI
