What is HashiCorp Vault primarily used for?

HashiCorp Vault is primarily designed for managing secrets and protecting sensitive data, which makes this answer the most accurate representation of its core function. Vault provides a secure method for storing and accessing secrets such as API keys, passwords, tokens, and other sensitive data, ensuring that only authorized applications and users can access this information. By implementing various authentication methods, encryption, and access controls, Vault helps organizations maintain confidentiality and integrity across their systems.

Other options, while they may involve working with data or system components, do not align with the primary purpose of Vault. For instance, storing unstructured data is not the key feature of Vault, as it focuses more on secret management. Creating backups and snapshots pertains to data protection but is not what Vault specializes in. Similarly, monitoring application health refers more to observability and performance tracking, which is outside the scope of what Vault is built to handle. This further solidifies the specific role of Vault in the broader landscape of secure data management and access control.