In Vault, what is the default lifetime of a token?

In Vault, the default lifetime of a token can indeed vary between 32 seconds to a year, depending on how it is configured. This flexibility allows administrators to specify token lifetimes that suit their security policy and operational requirements.

By default, the initial TTL (Time To Live) for tokens created through the Vault API is set to 1 hour, which can be modified based on the policies in place. If the policies allow, tokens can be issued with much longer lifetimes, or the settings can be adjusted to allow for shorter durations based on specific use cases or security constraints. The variable lifetime makes it adaptable for different scenarios, including transient access and long-term service accounts.

This adaptability in token lifecycle management is crucial for maintaining security without compromising on accessibility. It supports various operations in Vault, such as secret management and access control, thereby reinforcing the necessity for configurable token lifetimes within secure environments.