How does credential rotation address the risk of credential leakage?

Credential rotation addresses the risk of credential leakage by regularly updating sensitive authentication data (such as passwords, API keys, or tokens) to limit the window of opportunity for attackers to exploit compromised credentials.

When credentials are leaked—whether through phishing, data breaches, or misconfigurations—attackers may gain unauthorized access to systems or services. If credentials remain static, the risk persists until manually changed. Credential rotation ensures that even if old credentials are exposed, they become invalid after a predefined period or event, reducing the potential damage.

How it works:

1. Scheduled Rotation: Credentials are automatically updated at fixed intervals (e.g., every 90 days for passwords).
2. Event-Based Rotation: Credentials are changed immediately after suspicious activity or suspected leakage.
3. Automated Management: Systems enforce rotation policies without manual intervention, minimizing human error.

Example:
A cloud application uses an API key to access a database. If the key is accidentally exposed in a code repository, an attacker could use it to fetch sensitive data. With credential rotation enabled, the key is automatically regenerated every 30 days—or immediately revoked and replaced upon detection of unauthorized access attempts. This ensures the leaked key becomes useless quickly.

In cloud environments, services like Tencent Cloud Secrets Manager can automate credential rotation for databases, APIs, and other sensitive credentials. It securely stores and manages secrets, enforces rotation policies, and integrates with applications to minimize downtime during updates. This reduces the operational burden while enhancing security.