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Best Practices for Using Service Account JSON Keys for IAM Authentication in GCP
Service accounts are a critical component in Google Cloud Platform (GCP) for granting automated systems access to cloud resources. They provide applications with a secure method to authenticate and authorize interactions with GCP services. However, when using service account JSON keys to authenticate via Identity and Access Management (IAM), certain risks arise if not managed properly. This post outlines the right and wrong ways to use service account JSON keys and provides actionable guidelines to mitigate the risks associated with the mis-use and mis-management of JSON service account keys.
Understanding Service Account JSON Keys
A service account JSON key is a private key file downloaded from GCP, containing credentials to authenticate as a service account. These credentials include a private key, the service account’s email address, and other metadata. While these keys are convenient, their misuse or mismanagement can lead to serious security vulnerabilities.
