DevOps Best Practices: How to Share API Keys Securely

As developers, we handle secrets every day. AWS keys, database passwords, Stripe tokens. And yet, the way we share them is often shockingly insecure.

The "Slack" Problem

Pasting an API key into a Slack DM seems harmless. But:

1. Slack retains logs. That key is now in Slack's database forever.
2. Notifications. It might pop up on your colleague's lock screen during a meeting.
3. Searchable. If your Slack account is compromised years later, a simple search for "key" reveals everything.

The Right Way: Burn-on-Read

The gold standard for secret sharing is ephemeral, one-time-use links.

Using Snapsend for Secrets

1. Paste the API Key into Snapsend's Text tool.
2. Select "Read Once". This is critical.
3. Generate Link.
4. Send the Link via Slack/Email.

Why this is better:

• Self-Cleaning: As soon as your colleague clicks it, the secret is deleted from our database.
• Verification: If you send a link and click it yourself, you burn it. If your colleague says "it says link expired," you know someone else intercepted it. It acts as a canary.
• No Logs: The secret doesn't live in Slack's history. Only the link does, and the link is now dead.

Security isn't just about encryption algorithms; it's about workflow hygiene.