The best way to manage passwords and secrets across a dev team is to use a managed password manager for people, a proper secrets store for systems and code, multi-factor authentication everywhere, and strong unique credentials, with no secrets hard-coded into source. This stops the shared-password and secrets-in-code habits that cause so many breaches, while keeping access easy for the people who need it.
Developers juggle many logins, keys and credentials, so good management is both a security and a productivity win. Here’s the approach.
1. A password manager for people
A business password manager lets everyone use strong, unique passwords without trying to remember them, and lets you share access safely when needed. It removes the temptation to reuse passwords or keep them in spreadsheets.
2. A secrets store for systems
Application keys, tokens and service credentials should live in a proper secrets store, not in code or config files. Keeping secrets out of source control is one of the most important habits for a dev team to get right.
3. MFA and unique credentials
Strong, unique passwords backed by MFA mean that even if one credential leaks, it cannot be reused elsewhere or used alone to log in. This contains the damage of any single leak.
4. Rotate and remove access
Credentials and keys should be changed when people leave or when there is any concern, and old access removed promptly. A clear process for this keeps your secrets current and your risk low.
A real example: access managed centrally
We supported a software company serving financial trading firms where accounts, access and credentials were managed centrally, with MFA in place and access removed promptly when people moved on. Managing the keys properly is what keeps a busy dev team secure.
For most technology and trading firms, this sits within fully managed IT at about £45 to £100 per user per month, billed per user, with the security and resilience these businesses rely on built in.
Why technology and trading firms choose First Stop IT
First Stop IT has supported businesses since 2002, including software and technology companies and firms that serve financial markets. We know the systems these teams depend on: secure VPN and remote access, source control and build pipelines, virtual dev and test environments, Microsoft 365 and Teams, and the security that banks and regulators expect, from multi-factor authentication and endpoint protection to application allowlisting and email security. We work with technology and trading firms in London and across Essex and Hertfordshire. Our credentials include:
- Cyber Essentials Certified
- IASME Cyber Assurance (Gold)
- NCSC Assured Service Provider (Cyber Advisor for Cyber Essentials)
- Microsoft Partner
- Crown Commercial Service Supplier (G-Cloud)
- Quality Principles Certified
We look after more than 2,000 endpoints across 50 companies, we’ve been named a Top 50 UK MSP for three years running, and we support organisations with 10 to 100 employees across Essex, Hertfordshire and London, including Harlow and Bishop’s Stortford.
Book a free IT and cyber security review
Passwords and secrets all over the place? Book a free IT and cyber security review with First Stop IT and we’ll bring order to it.