SSH keys are a great way to secure your servers, but they can be challenging to manage. If you’re looking for an easy way to manage your SSH keys, then an all-in-one SSH key management is the answer, especially when starting to scale up with Keyfactor.
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What Is An SSH Key Manager?
An SSH key manager is a software program that stores your various usernames and passwords in a secure, encrypted format. When you need to access an online account from a remote location, you simply enter your login credentials into the SSH key manager, automatically logging into the account. You no longer have to remember multiple login credentials; you only need the SSH key manager and your login details.
SSH key managers benefit from busy professionals working from home or on the road. With an SSH key manager, you need an internet connection and your laptop; you can easily access your work accounts from anywhere in the world. And because your SSH key manager is encrypted, you can rest assured that your login credentials are safe and secure.
Why You Should Use An SSH Key Manager
Here are five reasons why you should use an all-in-one SSH key manager for your business:
It’s more secure
When you use an all-in-one SSH key manager, your keys are stored in a central location that is encrypted and backed up. If one of your servers is compromised, your keys will still be safe, and you can quickly revoke and replace them. Additionally, all-in-one SSH key managers typically have built-in auditing capabilities, so you can see who has accessed your keys and when.
It’s Easier To Use
All-in-one SSH key managers have a web interface that makes adding, deleting, and generating new keys easy. You can also easily grant and revoke access to keys as needed. And since everything is stored in one place, you don’t have to worry about losing track of your keys or remembering which server uses which key.
It’s More Scalable
You’ll likely need to add new servers and users as your business grows. With an all-in-one SSH key manager, it’s easy to add new servers and users without worrying about managing different keys for each one. Additionally, all-in-one SSH key managers often have APIs that allow you to automate adding and removing keys as needed.
As your business grows, tracking who has access to what becomes more challenging. An SSH key manager can help with this by giving you a central place to manage all of your keys. With an SSH key manager, you don’t have to worry about losing track of a key or giving someone too much access. This way, you can focus on running your business and scale up with Keyfactor instead of managing keys.
You Can Use It With Multiple Servers
An all-in-one SSH key manager makes it easy to manage keys for multiple servers without remembering which server uses which key. This is especially helpful if you have a large number of servers or if you frequently need to change which keys are being used on which servers.
You Can Use It With Multiple Users
Allowing multiple users access to your servers can be a security risk if not managed properly. With an all-in-one SSH key manager, you can easily add and remove users as needed and control the user’s level of access to your servers. This ensures that only authorized users have access to sensitive data and that you can quickly revoke access if necessary.
Practical Uses Of SSH Key Managers
While SSH key managers can be used in various ways, some of the most common use cases include managing server logins, deploying applications, and accessing secret management systems. Let’s take a closer look at each of these in turn.
Managing Server Logins
One of the primary use cases for SSH key managers is managing server logins. With an SSH key manager in place, administrators can centrally manage which users have access to which servers and revoke access when necessary. This helps streamline server management and reduces the risk of unauthorized access by ensuring that only authorized users can log in.
Deploying Applications
Another everyday use case for SSH key managers is deploying applications. When deploying an application over SSH, copying the application’s files from the development environment to the production environment is necessary. This typically involves transferring files via SCP or SFTP using an existing user credential (i.e., an administrator’s login).
However, using an SSH key manager can significantly simplify this process. With an SSH key manager in place, you can generate a new set of credentials specifically for file transfer purposes and revoke those once the deployment is complete. This saves time and reduces the risk of accidental data leakage by ensuring that credentials used for file transfer are not used for other purposes (e.g., logging into servers).
Secrets Management Systems
Finally, another common use case for SSH key managers is accessing secrets management systems such as HashiCorp Vault or AWS Secrets Manager. Secrets management systems store sensitive data like passwords, API keys, and database connection strings in a central location where authorized users can securely access them. However, accessing secrets stored in these systems typically requires using a command-line interface (CLI), which can be cumbersome and time-consuming.
Final Thoughts
All-in-one SSH key managers offer several benefits over traditional server management tools, including increased security, ease of use, scalability, and compatibility with multiple servers and users. If you’re looking for an easy way to manage your ssh keys, then an all-in-one SSH key management is the answer.