Red Flags in API Key Management
API keys are credentials — and leaked keys are spend before they're headlines. Here are the red flags that mean trouble.
The red flags
1. Keys in repos, logs, or prompts — the classic leak vector.
2. Over-scoped keys: one key with access to everything.
3. No rotation: keys that never change.
4. No spend limits: a leaked key can spend freely.
5. No audit: you can't see what a key did.
The fix
Scoped keys per agent, rotation on a schedule, and spend limits per key.
FAQ
What's the worst-case with a leaked key?
A valid key can drive spend — the firewall's caps and velocity limits bound the damage.
How do I detect leaks?
Secret scanning plus spend limits on every key — both.
Related
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