zero-static-credentials

To eliminate static credentials, enforce short-lived, token-based access patterns by integrating SSO for human users, OIDC federation for CI/CD pipelines, and session management for operational access. This removes long-lived API keys and SSH keys.

OIDC workload identity federation is a secure access pattern that allows CI/CD pipelines to authenticate with cloud providers using short-lived tokens instead of storing static API keys, drastically reducing the attack surface.

SSO integration secures human access by replacing static SSH keys and VPN files with centrally revocable, temporary role-based credentials. It enforces modern authentication flows to mitigate security risks associated with long-lived credentials.

Yes, session-based instance access provides secure operational access by replacing static VPN configurations with temporary, centrally managed sessions. It adheres to cloud provider best practices for credential lifecycle management and access control.

Short-lived tokens require strict adherence to cloud provider best practices for credential lifecycle management. Limitations include the need for continuous SSO integration and OIDC federation configuration rather than simple static API key storage.

The best way to secure CI/CD pipelines without static API keys is configuring your cloud provider to use OIDC federation. This enforces modern access patterns by issuing temporary, role-based credentials for pipeline workloads.