Keeping Secrets Out of Logs

The author argues there is no silver bullet to prevent secret leaks in logs, but proposes a number of “lead bullet” controls applied in depth. They first catalog common causes of secret leakage—direct logging, “kitchen sink” objects, configuration changes, embedded secrets, telemetry platforms, and user input. Then they present ten mitigation strategies: designing data architecture to centralize logging, transforming/redacting/tokenizing data, introducing domain primitives that distinguish secrets, using read-once objects, customizing log formatters, reinforcing via unit tests, employing sensitive data scanners, preprocessing log streams, applying taint analysis, and empowering people via training and incentives. The recommended overarching strategy is: lay a foundation (culture, definitions, pipeline), understand secret data flows, protect chokepoints, use defense-in-depth, and plan for detection, response, and recovery. 

https://allan.reyes.sh/posts/keeping-secrets-out-of-logs/

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