What type of key does Vault use to encrypt secrets?

HashiCorp Vault primarily employs symmetric keys to encrypt secrets. In this context, symmetric key encryption involves the use of a single key for both the encryption and decryption processes. This is particularly efficient for securely managing a large volume of data, as the same secret key can be utilized for both operations, resulting in faster encryption and decryption speeds compared to asymmetric methods.

Symmetric encryption is essential in Vault because it maximizes performance and guarantees that only entities with access to the key can decrypt the stored secrets. The usage of symmetric keys simplifies the key management involved in secure operations since it focuses on a single key rather than the pair required for asymmetric encryption.

In contrast, asymmetric keys involve a public and a private key, which can be useful for certain scenarios like secure data exchanges and digital signatures. However, they are not the primary method used in Vault for secret encryption, as the overhead of managing key pairs can complicate operations involving numerous secrets.

Hybrid keys combine both symmetric and asymmetric encryption, which can enhance security while maintaining efficiency, but that is not the foundational approach utilized in Vault's secret management. Hash keys, on the other hand, are typically used for ensuring data integrity rather than for encrypting secrets. Therefore, symmetric keys are the correct answer as