AWS Secrets Manager vs CyberArk: What are the differences?

Introduction:

AWS Secrets Manager and CyberArk are two popular solutions for managing sensitive data and secrets in an organization. While both serve the same purpose of securely storing and managing secrets, there are key differences between them. In this article, we will explore and highlight the main differences between AWS Secrets Manager and CyberArk.

1. Scalability and Cloud-Native Approach: AWS Secrets Manager is a fully managed service provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS), which means it is designed to scale as per the organization's needs. It can handle a large volume of secrets and can seamlessly integrate with other AWS services. On the other hand, CyberArk is an on-premises solution that requires dedicated hardware and infrastructure to support its operations. While it can also handle a large number of secrets, its scalability is limited by the available resources in the on-premises environment.

2. Integration with AWS Services: One significant advantage of AWS Secrets Manager is its seamless integration with various AWS services. It can easily integrate with services like Amazon RDS, Amazon Redshift, and Amazon EC2, allowing applications running on these services to retrieve secrets directly from Secrets Manager. This integration eliminates the need for manual handling of secrets and enhances the security posture of applications. In contrast, CyberArk may require additional configuration and customizations to integrate with AWS services, adding complexity to the setup.

3. Automation and Built-in Rotation: AWS Secrets Manager provides built-in capabilities for secret rotation, which can be automated using AWS Lambda functions, making it easier to manage secrets and ensure their continuous security. Secrets can be set to rotate automatically according to a predefined schedule, reducing the risk of compromised secrets. On the other hand, CyberArk may require additional scripting or manual intervention to implement secret rotation, which could be more error-prone and time-consuming.

4. Cost and Licensing Model: AWS Secrets Manager follows a pay-as-you-go pricing model, where users are charged based on the number of secrets stored and the number of API calls made to retrieve or manage those secrets. This model allows users to pay for what they use and eliminates the need for upfront investments. In contrast, CyberArk follows a licensing model that requires organizations to purchase licenses based on the number of users and the desired functionality. This licensing model may incur additional expenses, especially for organizations with a large user base.

5. Ease of Use and Management: AWS Secrets Manager provides a user-friendly interface and API, making it easier for organizations to manage and retrieve secrets. It integrates well with existing AWS infrastructure, and its centralized management console simplifies the process of creating, updating, and deleting secrets. CyberArk, on the other hand, may require specialized knowledge and training to operate efficiently. It typically involves more complex configurations and setups, which can be challenging for organizations without prior experience with the solution.

6. Versatility and Extensibility: AWS Secrets Manager is not limited to managing just passwords and credentials. It can store and manage a wide range of secrets, including database connection strings, API keys, and certificates. In addition, AWS Secrets Manager can be integrated with other AWS services to enhance security and governance aspects of an organization's infrastructure. On the contrary, CyberArk primarily focuses on privileged account management and may have limited flexibility when it comes to managing other types of secrets.

In summary, AWS Secrets Manager provides a scalable and cloud-native approach for managing secrets in a user-friendly and cost-efficient manner, with seamless integration with AWS services and built-in automation capabilities. On the other hand, CyberArk is an on-premises solution with a licensing model, suitable for organizations that prioritize specialized features, flexibility, and security requirements beyond traditional secrets management.