SSH keys are the backbone of secure server authentication, but managing them at scale can be a significant security and operational challenge for organizations. At the recent Machine Identity Management Summit hosted by Venafi, a CyberArk Company, a thought-provoking session shed light on the pressing issues of SSH key management and why migrating to SSH certificates is a game-changer for secure authentication.
We’ll explore the challenges that enterprises face with SSH key management, outlining the process of transitioning to SSH certificates, and the key benefits of adopting this approach.
SSH Machine Identity Management for Dummies
The Challenges of SSH Key Management
How SSH Keys Work
SSH (Secure Shell) keys are a public-private key pair used to authenticate users and computers. When set up, the private key remains with the user, while the public key is shared with the server to establish encrypted connections. This has traditionally been one of the most effective ways to secure remote access. But despite their widespread use, SSH keys come with several challenges when deployed at scale.
Key Challenges in SSH Management
- Lack of identity association: SSH keys don’t hold any metadata about the user or device they belong to, and that lack of identity is a huge blind spot for administrators. Since ownership can’t be tracked, attackers can easily target orphaned keys for misuse.
- Perpetual lifespan of keys: Once issued, SSH keys do not expire unless they’re manually revoked. The result is thousands of unmanaged keys lingering across systems, and these are a ticking time bomb for potential breaches and compromises.
- Management at scale is complex: It’s difficult to maintain visibility when managing keys for thousands of systems and users. Without an inventory tool, identifying which SSH keys are authorized, unused, or compromised is almost impossible.
- Limited tools and processes: The manual processes involved in traditional SSH management is labor-intensive and error prone. A lack of inventory and tracking controls means SSH environments can’t be monitored effectively.
These challenges make it clear that relying solely on SSH keys in modern, complex infrastructures is no longer sufficient. Security teams need to find more scalable, secure alternatives to minimize risks and improve operational efficiency.
Why Migrating to SSH Certificates is Key
SSH certificates address many of the issues associated with SSH key management. With certificates, a central certificate authority (CA) digitally signs and issues a time-sensitive certificate with identifying information the user or device that owns it.
This replaces static SSH keys while retaining the benefits of public-private cryptography. Here's why—and how—you should migrate your authentication processes to SSH certificates.
Migrating to SSH Certificates
- SSH certificate use cases: The first step is identifying where and how SSH is currently being used within your organization. Map out your existing use cases and catalog all SSH keys to better understand their role in authenticating access to servers and devices.
- Enabling SSH certificates across endpoints: Start by configuring your SSH infrastructure to trust certificates issued by a designated certificate authority. Most modern SSH servers, such as Open SSH, come with built-in support for this feature, simplifying endpoint transitions.
- Defining certificate policies: Create policies to govern certificate issuance, expiration periods, and renewal procedures. These policies should reflect your organization’s overall security objectives and compliance requirements.
- Deploying public signing certificates to servers: Every SSH server in your network must be able to recognize your CA’s public signing certificate to build trust between servers and certificate-bearing clients. Automating this process will save time and reduce error.
- Automation with Venafi: Platforms like SSH Protect simplify the migration process with automation tools for SSH certificate adoption. Venafi delivers centralized visibility and control over machine identities, making the transition to SSH certificates seamless.
Discover the Benefits of SSH Certificates
Transitioning to SSH certificates delivers several practical and strategic advantages, including:
- Identity-Based Access: SSH certificates enable identity-based authentication with embedded meta data, improving traceability.
- Revocation and Expiration: Certificates are time-bound, meaning they automatically expire. This eliminates the risks associated with perpetual keys.
- Simplified Management: Fewer key pairs and the ability to automate certificates reduces overall operational complexity.
- Enhanced Security: With SSH certificates, you reduce the surface area for breaches by closing the loop on orphaned and unmanaged keys.
Key Takeaways for the Future
SSH certificates are a major shift from manually managing keys to an automated, identity-driven approach that mitigates the risks of traditional SSH authentication. Here are the main things to remember as you plan your approach to secure authentication with SSH certificates:
They alleviate security vulnerabilities inherent in traditional management, such as unmanaged or rogue SSH keys.
They simplify processes through automation and centralized administration.
They provide IT and security teams with better visibility, control, and auditability for server authentication.
Secure Your SSH Authentication Today
Making the shift from SSH keys to certificates is a strategic and smart step towards better security and scalability. While the transition may seem daunting, the long-term benefits are undeniable. Enterprise-grade solutions such as Venafi SSH Protect provide the tools and framework your organization needs to implement certificate-based SSH authentication.
Now is the perfect to enhance your organization’s security posture! Don’t wait for a security breach to start planning your migration. For resources, guidance, and support, reach out to the experts at Venafi! And for more insights into migrating to SSH certificates, you can view the full “Revolutionize Authentication with SSH Certificates” session from the Machine Identity Management Summit on-demand.