Which method allows for temporary credentials in cloud environments?

Temporary credentials in cloud environments are typically managed through mechanisms that allow for dynamic creation and management of credentials that have a limited lifespan. The database secret engine is designed specifically for this purpose. It interacts with various databases to generate temporary database credentials dynamically as needed.

When a request is made for access to a resource, the database secret engine can create a new user in the database with specific permissions, then return the credentials to the requester. These credentials come with a defined lease duration, after which they expire automatically, enhancing security by reducing the risk of long-lived credentials being compromised.

In contrast, the identity secrets engine is focused on identity management rather than dynamic credential creation. The key/value secrets engine is used primarily for storing arbitrary secrets but does not generate temporary credentials by itself. Lastly, the generic secrets engine offers a way to manage arbitrary secrets, but it lacks the specific functionality for generating temporary credentials tailored for cloud use.