What’s the safest way to store API keys on a web server?
Asked on Sep 21, 2025
Answer
The safest way to store API keys on a web server is to use environment variables or a secrets management tool, ensuring that the keys are not hard-coded in your application's source code.
<!-- BEGIN COPY / PASTE -->
# Example of using environment variables in a Node.js application
const apiKey = process.env.API_KEY;
<!-- END COPY / PASTE -->Additional Comment:
- Environment variables should be set in a secure way, such as through a configuration file that is not included in version control.
- Consider using a secrets management service like AWS Secrets Manager or HashiCorp Vault for enhanced security.
- Regularly rotate your API keys and monitor their usage to detect any unauthorized access.
✅ Answered with Security best practices.
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