Aembit dynamically generates short-lived credentials for each request to a Server Workload, eliminating manual credential rotation and reducing the risk window if an attacker compromises credentials. This page explains how credential lifecycle management works across all Server Workload types.
How credential rotation works
Section titled “How credential rotation works”Aembit generates credentials on-demand rather than storing long-lived secrets:
- Credential lifespan: JWT-SVIDs are valid for 5 minutes by default
- Automatic rotation: New credentials generated for each token request (typically every 1 hour when access tokens expire)
- No manual intervention: Applications continue running without code changes or restarts
- Zero downtime rotation: Transition from old to new credentials is seamless
Credential generation flow
Section titled “Credential generation flow”- Your application requests access to a protected resource (for example, an OAuth token or API call)
- Aembit generates a new credential (JWT-SVID or other type) signed with current cryptographic material
- The target service validates the credential and issues an access token or grants access
- Your application receives the response and continues operating
- Process repeats when the access token expires or the application makes a new request
Token expiration comparison
Section titled “Token expiration comparison”The following table compares credential lifetimes and rotation methods:
| Credential Type | Typical Lifetime | Rotation Method | Downtime During Rotation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Static client secret (traditional) | 1-2 years | Manual (update code/config and restart app) | Yes (during restart) |
| Aembit JWT-SVID | 5 minutes | Automatic (generated per request) | No (seamless transition) |
| OAuth access token | 1 hour | Automatic (app requests new token) | No (handled by SDK) |
The 5-minute JWT-SVID lifespan limits the window of compromise. Even if an attacker intercepts a JWT-SVID, it expires before the attacker can reuse it for future requests.
Credential compromise response
Section titled “Credential compromise response”If you suspect a credential compromise (for example, unauthorized API access detected), follow these steps:
1. Immediate action: Disable the Server Workload
Section titled “1. Immediate action: Disable the Server Workload”Revoke the Server Workload in the Aembit console to stop credential generation immediately:
- Navigate to Workloads > Server Workloads
- Select the affected workload
- Click Disable
Disabling the Server Workload stops all new credential generation immediately. Existing tokens remain valid until they expire (typically within 5 minutes for JWT-SVIDs, 1 hour for OAuth access tokens).
2. Investigate: Review audit logs
Section titled “2. Investigate: Review audit logs”Identify the scope of the compromise by reviewing logs in both Aembit and the target service:
Aembit logs -
- Navigate to Activity > Audit Logs
- Filter by Server Workload name
- Look for: Unusual access patterns, unexpected IP addresses, off-hours activity
Target service logs (example: Entra ID) -
- Navigate to Azure Active Directory > Sign-in logs
- Filter by Application (client) ID
- Look for: Failed authentications, unusual locations, unexpected user agents
3. Remediate: Address the root cause
Section titled “3. Remediate: Address the root cause”Based on your investigation findings:
- If isolated to Aembit: Re-enable the Server Workload after confirming you eliminated the threat
- If target service credentials compromised: Rotate or regenerate credentials in the target service (for example, delete and recreate an Entra ID application registration)
- If broader compromise: Follow your organization’s incident response procedures
4. Prevent recurrence: Review security posture
Section titled “4. Prevent recurrence: Review security posture”After remediation, strengthen your security configuration:
- Verify least-privilege permissions on the Server Workload
- Enable conditional access policies in the target service (if supported)
- Configure IP address restrictions where applicable
- Review Access Conditions in Aembit to add time-based or location-based restrictions
Audit logging
Section titled “Audit logging”Aembit logs all credential generation events for compliance and security monitoring.
What Aembit logs -
- Timestamp of credential generation
- Server Workload name
- Client Workload identity
- Credential type issued
- Success or failure status
Where to view logs -
- Aembit Tenant: Reporting > Audit Logs
- For detailed event information, see Audit Logs
Log retention -
- Default: 90 days
- Configurable up to 1 year for compliance requirements
SIEM integration - Export logs to your Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system using Aembit’s log stream integration. See Log Streams for configuration details.
Monitoring recommendations
Section titled “Monitoring recommendations”Configure alerts in your monitoring system for the following conditions:
| Alert Condition | Recommended Threshold | Indicates |
|---|---|---|
| Failed credential requests | >5 failures in 10 minutes | Authentication misconfiguration or attack |
| Access from unexpected locations | Any non-allowlisted region | Potential credential theft |
| Access outside business hours | Any off-hours access (if applicable) | Unauthorized access attempt |
| Server Workload configuration changes | Any change | Potential privilege escalation |
| Credential generation rate spike | >200% of baseline | Credential stuffing attack |
For access authorization event details, see Access Authorization Events.