There are several secure ways to store and manage encryption keys in Go applications:
Use environment variables: One common approach is to store encryption keys as environment variables. You can set these variables in your development environment and access them in your Go application using the os.Getenv() function. Ensure that these environment variables are set securely and not exposed in your code repository or during runtime.
Use a configuration file: Store encryption keys in a configuration file and access them in your Go application. Make sure to protect this file and restrict access to it. Use a tool like Viper to easily read and manage configuration files.
Use a dedicated key management service: Consider using a key management service (KMS) like AWS Key Management Service (KMS) or Google Cloud Key Management Service (KMS). These services provide secure storage and management of encryption keys. Your Go application can interact with the KMS APIs to retrieve the keys securely at runtime.
Use a secret management service: Utilize a secret management service like HashiCorp Vault or Azure Key Vault. These services provide secure storage and management of secrets, including encryption keys. Your Go application can authenticate with these services and retrieve the keys securely.
Use a hardware security module (HSM): For particularly sensitive encryption keys, you can consider using a hardware security module (HSM). An HSM is a physical device that provides secure storage and cryptographic operations. Your Go application can communicate with the HSM using appropriate libraries or APIs, ensuring that encryption keys never leave the HSM.
Regardless of the method chosen, ensure that encryption keys are securely stored, and access to them is properly managed and restricted. Regularly audit and review your application's security measures to ensure ongoing protection of encryption keys.