diff --git a/docs/how-to-guides/companies-and-teams/the-problem-with-env b/docs/how-to-guides/companies-and-teams/the-problem-with-env new file mode 100644 index 00000000..0cbba26f --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/how-to-guides/companies-and-teams/the-problem-with-env @@ -0,0 +1,86 @@ +--- +slug: problem-with-env-files-polykey-future +title: The Problem with .env Files & Why Polykey Is the Future +authors: +tags: ['secrets-management', 'security', 'devops', 'cloud', 'software-engineering'] +--- + +# The Problem with .env Files & Why Polykey Is the Future + +For decades, devs have leaned on `.env` files to stash API keys, database credentials, and other sensitive config settings. And for decades, we’ve just accepted the risk, even though `.env` files are one of the worst security practices still kicking around. + +They’re plaintext. They’re a pain to share securely. They’re constantly getting leaked. But here we are, still using them. + +## Why .env Files Are a Security Dumpster Fire + +### One bad git commit and it’s game over +Even if you throw `.env` into `.gitignore`, mistakes happen. One `git add -A`, and boom—your secrets are public. + +### Plaintext storage is a disaster waiting to happen +`.env` files sit unencrypted on disk. A malware infection, a rogue employee, or just someone getting access to a developer laptop, and your secrets are wide open. + +### Sharing secrets shouldn’t be this messy +How do most teams share `.env` files? + +- Slack messages +- Email attachments +- Pasting them into a Google Doc + +None of this is secure. But it’s still what people do. + +### No version control, no audit trail, no accountability +If someone changes an API key, how do you know who did it or when? You don’t. `.env` files give you zero visibility. + +### Impossible to manage at scale +When your team grows, how do you handle secret rotation? How do you make sure everyone has the latest version? `.env` files don’t scale past a handful of devs hacking on a side project. + +## The "Fixes" That Are Just as Bad + +Some teams try to move away from `.env` files but just end up in different security nightmares: + +- **Hardcoding secrets in source code** (seriously?) +- **Storing them in a database** (better, but still risky) +- **Using cloud secret managers** like AWS Secrets Manager or HashiCorp Vault (okay, but you’re still handing your secrets to a third party) + +## Polykey: A Secure, Decentralized Alternative + +Polykey kills `.env` files entirely. Instead of shoving secrets into plaintext files, it gives you: + +- **Encrypted local vaults** so secrets never sit exposed +- **Peer-to-peer secret sharing** so you’re not passing creds over Slack or email +- **A zero-trust architecture** that doesn’t rely on any cloud provider +- **A CLI-first design** that fits straight into DevOps workflows + +## How It Works + +Instead of dumping creds into `.env`, you: + +1. **Create an encrypted vault** + + ```sh + polykey vault create my-vault + ``` + +2. **Add secrets securely** + + ```sh + polykey secrets add my-vault API_KEY my-secret-key + ``` + +3. **Inject secrets dynamically into your environment** + + ```sh + polykey secrets env my-vault API_KEY + ``` + + +## Why This Changes Everything + * You keep full control over your secrets—no third-party trust required + * Enterprises can securely distribute API keys without exposing them to the cloud + * No single point of failure—secrets stay decentralized and encrypted + +## Get Rid of .env Files for Good + +.env files were never built for modern security. It’s time to move on. + +Try Polykey today and take control of your security the right way. \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/docs/how-to-guides/companies-and-teams/the-problem-with-env.md b/docs/how-to-guides/companies-and-teams/the-problem-with-env.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..3e6f54ed --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/how-to-guides/companies-and-teams/the-problem-with-env.md @@ -0,0 +1,86 @@ +--- +title: "The Problem with .env Files & Why Polykey Is the Future" +date: 2025-03-05 +author: "Christina" +tags: ["secrets-management", "security", "devops", "cloud", "software-engineering"] +--- + +# The Problem with .env Files & Why Polykey Is the Future + +For decades, devs have leaned on `.env` files to stash API keys, database credentials, and other sensitive config settings. And for decades, we’ve just accepted the risk, even though `.env` files are one of the worst security practices still kicking around. + +They’re plaintext. They’re a pain to share securely. They’re constantly getting leaked. But here we are, still using them. + +## Why .env Files Are a Security Dumpster Fire + +### One bad git commit and it’s game over +Even if you throw `.env` into `.gitignore`, mistakes happen. One `git add -A`, and boom, your secrets are public. + +### Plaintext storage is a disaster waiting to happen +`.env` files sit unencrypted on disk. A malware infection, a rogue employee, or just someone getting access to a developer laptop, and your secrets are wide open. + +### Sharing secrets shouldn’t be this messy +How do most teams share `.env` files? + +* Slack messages +* Email attachments +* Pasting them into a Google Doc + +None of this is secure. But it’s still what people do. + +### No version control, no audit trail, no accountability +If someone changes an API key, how do you know who did it or when? You don’t. `.env` files give you zero visibility. + +### Impossible to manage at scale +When your team grows, how do you handle secret rotation? How do you make sure everyone has the latest version? `.env` files don’t scale past a handful of devs hacking on a side project. + +## The "Fixes" That Are Just as Bad + +Some teams try to move away from `.env` files but just end up in different security nightmares: + +- Hardcoding secrets in source code** (seriously?) +- Storing them in a database (better, but still risky) +- Using cloud secret managers like AWS Secrets Manager or HashiCorp Vault (okay, but you’re still handing your secrets to a third party) + +## Polykey: A Secure, Decentralized Alternative + +Polykey kills `.env` files entirely. Instead of shoving secrets into plaintext files, it gives you: + +* Encrypted local vaults so secrets never sit exposed +* Peer-to-peer secret sharing** so you’re not passing creds over Slack or email +* A zero-trust architecture** that doesn’t rely on any cloud provider +* A CLI-first design** that fits straight into DevOps workflows + +## How It Works + +Instead of dumping creds into `.env`, you: + +1. **Create an encrypted vault** + + ```sh + polykey vault create my-vault + ``` + +2. **Add secrets securely** + + ```sh + polykey secrets add my-vault API_KEY my-secret-key + ``` + +3. **Inject secrets dynamically into your environment** + + ```sh + polykey secrets env my-vault API_KEY + ``` + + +## Why This Changes Everything + * You keep full control over your secrets. No third-party trust required + * Enterprises can securely distribute API keys without exposing them to the cloud + * No single point of failure—secrets stay decentralized and encrypted + +## Get Rid of .env Files for Good + +.env files were never built for modern security. It’s time to move on. + +Try Polykey today and take control of your security the right way. \ No newline at end of file