In
the realm of Azure security, two critical services stand out: Azure Key Vault
and Azure Managed Identity. Both offer strong security capabilities for
protecting applications, but they serve distinct functions and provide unique
advantages. In this article, we will understand what Azure
Key Vault and Managed Identity are and their benefits and key
differences, helping you make an informed decision for your security needs.
Azure Key Vault
Azure Key Vault is a
cloud service designed to securely store, access, and manage sensitive
information, such as keys, secrets, and certificates. It helps in protecting
cryptographic keys and secrets used by cloud applications and services,
ensuring data integrity and compliance with security standards.
Azure Key Vault Benefits
●
Securely
store and access secrets, keys, and certificates with encryption
●
Centralize
the management of secrets and keys
●
Manage
SSL/TLS certificates for web applications
●
Pay-as-you-go
pricing based on storage and transactions
●
Integrate
with Azure services, apps, and third-party tools
Azure Managed Identity
Azure Managed Identity provides
an automatically managed identity within Azure Active Directory (AAD) for
applications to use when connecting to resources supporting Azure AD
authentication. It simplifies secure access by eliminating the need for
managing credentials manually.
Azure Managed Identity Benefits
● Eliminate the need for hard-coded credentials,
reducing security risks
● Automatic identity lifecycle management
● Enable secure communication between Azure
services
● Included with most Azure services at no extra
cost
● Seamlessly works with Azure services like
Azure VM, Azure Functions, etc.
Key Differences Between Azure Key Vault and Managed Identity
|
Feature |
Azure
Key Vault |
Azure
Managed Identity |
|
Purpose |
Securely store and
manage secrets, keys, and certificates |
Provide automatic
identity management for Azure services |
|
Type |
Secret management and
storage |
Identity management and
authentication |
|
Integration |
Works with Azure
services and third-party applications |
Seamlessly integrates
with Azure services |
|
Usage |
Suitable for storing
sensitive configuration data |
Ideal for managing
access to Azure resources without credentials |
|
Management
Approach |
Manual configuration and
management |
Fully automated identity
management |
|
Access
Protocols |
Accessed via REST API,
SDKs, and CLI tools |
Uses OAuth 2.0 and MSI
endpoints for authentication |
Which One to Choose: Azure Key Vault or Azure Managed Identity?
Choosing
the right service depends on your specific requirements. For storing and
managing sensitive data, Azure Key Vault is the ideal solution. On the other
hand, for streamlined identity management and authentication, Azure Managed
Identity is the best choice. By combining both services, individuals can
develop a comprehensive security strategy within their Azure ecosystem.
Azure Combo Training with InfosecTrain
InfosecTrain's Azure Administrator & Security (AZ-104 + AZ-500) combo training covers Azure Key Vault and Managed Identity in-depth, linking theory to real-world scenarios. It helps learners understand how to securely manage secrets, keys, and certificates with Key Vault, and how to enable secure, passwordless app access to Azure resources using Managed Identity—all aligned with Microsoft’s certification objectives.
