How To Evaluate Secret Detection Tools

As businesses increasingly adopt “everything-as-code” practices, the need for robust secret detection tools has become critical to ensure cyber resilience. However, evaluating these tools can be challenging for developers and security professionals. In particular, integration with existing workflows can be complex, and finding the right balance between accuracy, scalability, and cost-effectiveness can be difficult. 

This article provides an in-depth look at secret detection tools, common secret detection features, how to choose the right secret detection solution for your business, and key questions to ask vendors.

Introduction to Secret Detection

Secrets detection tools automate the process of scanning code and configurations for patterns and formats indicative of sensitive information called secrets. The goal is simple: early detection and mitigation of secret leaks. 

Examples of secrets that need protection include:

  • Usernames and passwords
  • Encryption keys
  • API keys
  • Tokens and sessions IDs
  • Private keys
  • Digital certificates
  • Biometric data
  • Configuration files
  • PII

To ensure comprehensive coverage, secrets detection should be integrated into continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, and the following should be scanned:

  • Source Code Management (SCM) tools
  • Delivery pipelines
  • Kubernetes resources
  • Containers
  • Productivity tools like Slack, Confluence, and Jira

Want to learn more about secrets detection, including a detailed description of how it works? Check out this article: Cracking the Code: A Comprehensive Guide to Secrets Detection

Understanding Secret Detection Tools

Recent examples of secret leaks have clearly demonstrated the short- and long-term consequences organizations face, including data breaches, financial losses, reputational damage, and regulatory fines. 

For example, in 2023, it was revealed that tens of thousands of container images were hosted on Docker Hub containing secrets. Data analysis revealed the exposure of 52,107 valid private keys and 3,158 distinct API secrets in just 28,621 Docker images. Most of the containers belonged to cloud providers like Amazon AWS, but some pertained to financial services such as Stripe.

It’s no wonder secret detection tools are a top priority for security teams and developers. 

But how do they work?

Primary functions of secret detection solutions include:

  1. Scanning code repositories: Continuously monitors your codebase for exposed secrets.
  2. Monitoring infrastructure: Keeps an eye on your cloud and on-premises infrastructure for any secret leaks.
  3. Alerting on detected secrets: Provides real-time notifications when secrets are detected, allowing for immediate action.
  4. Reporting: Generates detailed reports on detected secrets, their locations, and remediation actions taken.
  5. Automated remediation: Automatically replaces exposed secrets and rotates them to mitigate risks.
  6. Static analysis: Examines code without executing it, useful for detecting secrets in version control.
  7. Dynamic analysis: Analyzes running applications and systems, providing real-time detection.

Open-Source vs Enterprise Secret Detection Tools

Importantly, organizations can leverage open-source secret detection tools or enterprise secret detection tools. Let’s explore the pros and cons of each, across various categories. 

Feature/Aspect Open-Source Tools Commercial Tools