AWS Parameter Store Vs Secret Manager Explained

AWS Parameter Store and Secrets Manager are two widely used services for managing and securing sensitive data, such as passwords, API keys, and other secrets in the AWS ecosystem. In this advanced-level blog post, we will dive deep into the differences between these two services to help you make an informed decision when choosing which service to use for your specific needs. We will also cover the key features, limitations, and use cases for each of these services. Finally, we will wrap up with a FAQ section to answer some common questions about AWS Parameter Store and Secrets Manager.

AWS Parameter Store

AWS Parameter Store is a part of the AWS Systems Manager service. It provides a centralized location to store and manage configuration data and secure strings like passwords and API keys. With Parameter Store, you can store plain text and encrypted data, create hierarchies to manage configuration data for different applications and environments, and control access to sensitive data using granular permissions.

Key Features of Parameter Store

1. Centralized storage: Parameter Store allows you to store and manage configuration data in a single place, making it easier to organize and maintain.
2. Hierarchical storage: You can create a hierarchy of parameters using path-like structures, which can be useful for managing configurations across multiple applications and environments.
3. Versioning: Parameter Store supports versioning of parameter values, which allows you to roll back to a previous version if needed.
4. Fine-grained access control: You can control access to your parameters using AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), which enables you to define granular permissions for individual users and groups.
5. Integration with other AWS services: Parameter Store is integrated with many AWS services, such as AWS Lambda, EC2, and ECS, allowing you to retrieve parameter values directly from these services.

Limitations of Parameter Store

1. Limited throughput: Parameter Store has a default rate limit of 40 transactions per second (TPS), which can be increased to a maximum of 1,000 TPS upon request. High-throughput applications may experience throttling if they exceed the allowed TPS.
2. No automatic rotation: Parameter Store does not provide built-in support for automatically rotating secrets, such as database credentials or API keys. You need to implement custom solutions for handling secret rotation.

AWS Secrets Manager

AWS Secrets Manager is a dedicated service for managing secrets, such as database passwords, API keys, and OAuth tokens. It provides a secure and scalable solution to store, retrieve, and rotate secrets in the AWS ecosystem. Secrets Manager is designed for applications with more advanced requirements, such as automatic secret rotation and auditing.

Key Features of Secrets Manager

1. Secure storage: Secrets Manager encrypts your secrets using AWS Key Management Service (KMS) keys, ensuring that your sensitive data is protected at rest.
2. Automatic secret rotation: One of the main selling points of Secrets Manager is its built-in support for automatically rotating secrets. You can configure automatic rotation for supported services like RDS, DocumentDB, and Redshift, and create custom Lambda functions for other services.
3. Versioning: Similar to Parameter Store, Secrets Manager also supports versioning of secrets, allowing you to roll back to a previous version if necessary.
4. Fine-grained access control: Access control in Secrets Manager is also managed using IAM, enabling you to define granular permissions for users and groups.
5. Integration with other AWS services: Secrets Manager is integrated with many AWS services, such as AWS Lambda, EC2, and ECS, allowing you to retrieve secrets directly from these services.

Limitations of Secrets Manager

1. Higher cost: Secrets Manager is a more expensive service compared to Parameter Store. It charges a monthly fee per secret and an additional fee for secret rotations.
2. No hierarchical storage: Unlike Parameter Store, Secrets Manager does not support hierarchical storage of secrets. You can use tags to organize your secrets, but it may not be as intuitive as the path-based hierarchy in Parameter Store.

Comparison: AWS Parameter Store vs. Secrets Manager

Now that we have covered the key features and limitations of both services, let's compare them side by side:

Feature	AWS Parameter Store	AWS Secrets Manager
Centralized storage	Yes	Yes
Hierarchical storage	Yes	No
Versioning	Yes	Yes
Fine-grained access control	Yes	Yes
Integration with AWS services	Yes	Yes
Automatic secret rotation	No	Yes
Cost	Lower	Higher

Use Cases: When to Use AWS Parameter Store vs. Secrets Manager

Based on the comparison above, here are some general guidelines on when to use AWS Parameter Store and when to use Secrets Manager:

• Use AWS Parameter Store if you need a simple, low-cost solution for storing and managing configuration data and secrets, and you do not require automatic secret rotation.
• Use AWS Secrets Manager if you need a more advanced solution for managing secrets, especially if you require automatic secret rotation, auditing, and monitoring features. Keep in mind that Secrets Manager comes with a higher cost compared to Parameter Store.

FAQ

Q: Can I use both AWS Parameter Store and Secrets Manager together?

A: Yes, you can use both services together, depending on your requirements. For example, you can use Parameter Store for storing configuration data and Secrets Manager for storing and rotating secrets.

Q: How do I migrate from AWS Parameter Store to Secrets Manager?

A: To migrate from Parameter Store to Secrets Manager, you can use the AWS CLI or SDKs to programmatically retrieve parameters from Parameter Store, and then create new secrets in Secrets Manager with the same values. You should also update your application code to retrieve secrets from Secrets Manager instead of Parameter Store.

Q: Is there a cost difference between storing secrets in Parameter Store vs. Secrets Manager?

A: Yes, there is a cost difference. Parameter Store has a lower cost, as you only pay for the API calls and optional features like Parameter Store Advanced, while Secrets Manager has a higher cost, charging a monthly fee per secret and an additional fee for secret rotations.

We hope this blog post has provided you with a clear understanding of the differences between AWS Parameter Store and Secrets Manager, their features, limitations, and use cases. By considering these factors, you can make an informed decision on which service to use for managing your sensitive data in the AWS ecosystem. For more information on these services, you can refer to the official AWS documentation for Parameter Store and Secrets Manager.