Parameter Store vs Secrets Manager

Overview of Services

a. AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store

Parameter Store is a component of AWS Systems Manager that provides a centralized store to manage configuration data and secrets. It allows you to store data as plain text or encrypted data.

b. AWS Secrets Manager

Secrets Manager is a dedicated service designed specifically for managing, retrieving, and rotating secrets such as database credentials, API keys, and other sensitive information.

Typical Use Cases

a. AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store

• Configuration Management: Store non-sensitive configuration data like application settings, feature flags, URLs, and resource identifiers.
• Simple Secrets Management: Handle basic secrets (SecureString) that do not require advanced features like automatic rotation.
• Infrastructure as Code: Integrate with tools like AWS CloudFormation, Terraform, and others to manage configuration parameters.
• Hierarchical Storage: Organize parameters in a hierarchical structure for better management and access control.

b. AWS Secrets Manager

• Sensitive Data Management: Store and manage sensitive information such as database credentials, API keys, OAuth tokens, and SSH keys.
• Automatic Rotation: Automatically rotate secrets on a schedule or in response to events, supporting built-in integrations for databases and other services.
• Fine-Grained Access Control: Implement more granular access policies and audit trails for secret access and usage.
• Cross-Account Access: Share secrets securely across different AWS accounts.

Choosing Between Parameter Store and Secrets Manager

When deciding between Parameter Store and Secrets Manager, consider the nature of the data you need to store and the required features:

• Use Parameter Store If:
  • You’re storing non-sensitive configuration data (e.g., DB hostnames, environment settings, feature flags).
  • You require a centralized configuration management solution without the need for automatic rotation.
  • You want to minimize costs, especially when managing a large number of parameters.
• Use Secrets Manager If:
  • You’re handling sensitive information that requires robust security measures (e.g., database passwords, API keys).
  • You need automatic rotation of secrets to enhance security.
  • You require fine-grained access control and audit capabilities for secret access.
  • You benefit from built-in integrations for secret rotation with supported services.

Cost Considerations

• Parameter Store:
  • Standard Parameters: Free up to 10,000 API interactions per month.
  • Advanced Parameters: Billed based on the number of parameters and API interactions.
• Secrets Manager:
  • Charged based on the number of secrets stored and API requests made.
  • Additional Costs: Automatic rotation may incur additional Lambda charges.

Recommendation: Use Parameter Store for non-sensitive and less frequently accessed data to minimize costs, and reserve Secrets Manager for critical, sensitive information that benefits from its advanced features.

Security Best Practices

• Encryption: Always encrypt sensitive data at rest. Both Parameter Store and Secrets Manager support AWS KMS for encryption.
• Access Control: Implement the principle of least privilege using IAM policies to restrict who or what can access specific parameters or secrets.
• Audit and Monitoring: Enable AWS CloudTrail to monitor access and changes to your parameters and secrets for auditing purposes.
• Regular Rotation: For sensitive data, especially secrets, implement regular rotation to minimize the risk of compromised credentials.