How Can I Securely Store Secrets in Ansible with Vault?

In the dynamic world of IT infrastructure management, security is paramount. As automation tools like Ansible become integral to operations, handling sensitive information such as passwords and API keys is a critical concern. Ansible Vault is a powerful tool designed to address this challenge, providing a secure and efficient method for storing and managing secrets. In this article, we will delve into the world of Ansible Vault and explore how it can be used to securely store secrets in your Ansible projects.

Understanding Ansible Vault

Ansible Vault is a feature that allows you to encrypt sensitive information within Ansible projects, ensuring that confidential data is protected both at rest and in transit. It enables you to seamlessly integrate secrets into your playbooks without compromising security.

Creating an Encrypted File

To begin, let's create an encrypted file using Ansible Vault. The following command will prompt you to enter a password that will be used to encrypt and decrypt the file:

ansible-vault create secrets.yml

After entering your password, the file will open in the default text editor. You can add your sensitive information in YAML format, and upon saving and closing, it will be encrypted.

Editing an Encrypted File

To edit an existing encrypted file, use the following command:

ansible-vault edit secrets.yml

You'll be prompted to enter the password, and once authenticated, the file will open for editing.

Integrating Vault with Ansible Playbooks

Now that we have our encrypted file let's see how to use it in Ansible playbooks.

Including the Encrypted File in Playbooks

To include the encrypted file in your playbook, use the following syntax:

---
- name: My Playbook with Secrets
  hosts: servers
  vars_files:
    - secrets.yml
  tasks:
    # Your tasks go here

This ensures that the secrets are decrypted and available for use during playbook execution.

Running Playbooks with Vault

When running a playbook with encrypted files, use the following command:

ansible-playbook --ask-vault-pass my_playbook.yml

This command prompts you for the Vault password before execution.

Best Practices and Additional Considerations

Password File

For automation purposes, consider using a password file instead of interactive prompts. Create a file containing the Vault password and reference it during playbook execution:

ansible-playbook --vault-password-file=path/to/password_file my_playbook.yml

Encrypting an Existing File

If you have an existing file with sensitive information that needs to be encrypted, use the following command:

ansible-vault encrypt existing_secrets.yml

So, Ansible Vault provides a robust solution for securely storing secrets in your Ansible projects. By encrypting sensitive information and seamlessly integrating it into your playbooks, you can ensure that your automation workflows remain both efficient and secure. Implementing these best practices will contribute to a more resilient and protected IT infrastructure.