Exposed secrets in code represent a growing threat, with 23 million hardcoded secrets found on GitHub in 2024 alone. To effectively address this risk:
Classify secrets by sensitivity to prioritize critical issues like admin credentials over low-risk test keys
Assess scope and impact by determining if the secret is public and what systems it affects
Identify root causes such as sloppy commits or inadequate reviews to prevent recurrence
Enrich with metadata about ownership and access levels to better understand risks
Use open-source tools like TruffleHog, git-secrets, SOPS, and HashiCorp Vault to automate detection, management, and remediation. Implement regular rotation schedules, just-in-time access policies, and continuous monitoring to maintain secure code.