How does Vault provide access to different types of secrets?

Vault provides access to different types of secrets primarily through the use of secret backends. Secret backends are specific components within Vault that manage the retrieval, storage, and configuration of secrets. Each backend is responsible for a particular type of secret management, such as storing sensitive information like API keys, passwords, or certificates.

By defining and configuring various secret backends, Vault allows different secret types to be accessed in a standardized way. For instance, a cubic backend might deal with database secrets, while another might handle cloud provider credentials. This modular design facilitates the management of secrets according to the needs of an organization, ensuring that the right secrets are available to the right applications or users in an efficient and secure manner.

In contrast, while access policies are crucial for controlling who can access the secrets, and encryption keys ensure the security of the secrets, these mechanisms work in conjunction with secret backends rather than providing direct access to the types of secrets themselves. External storage systems also play a role in the overall infrastructure, but they are not directly responsible for the types of secrets Vault handles. Thus, secret backends serve as the foundational elements that organize and present the secrets to users and applications.