ITGSS Certified DevOps Engineer Practice Test

What is the main benefit of setting short lifetimes on credentials and automating their rotation?

1. It simplifies management of credentials

2. It makes it harder for attackers to misuse credentials

3. It reduces server load during authentication

4. It increases the number of tokens issued

The correct answer is: It makes it harder for attackers to misuse credentials

Setting short lifetimes on credentials and automating their rotation primarily enhances security by making it more difficult for attackers to misuse compromised credentials. When credentials have short expiration times, even if an attacker manages to obtain them, their window of opportunity is significantly reduced. This means that stolen credentials become less valuable, as they will quickly become invalid, thereby limiting potential damage. Moreover, automating the rotation of these credentials ensures that they are changed regularly and do not remain static for long periods. This practice further mitigates risks associated with credential theft, as any compromised credentials would be replaced before they could be used extensively by an attacker. The focus on security inherently prioritizes reducing the chance of unauthorized access, reinforcing the principle of least privilege in operational environments. In summary, the central advantage of this practice lies in its ability to enhance the organization's overall security posture by complicating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit sensitive information.