What primary function does AWS Secrets Manager serve?

AWS Secrets Manager primarily serves the function of securely storing and managing sensitive credentials, such as passwords, API keys, and database connection strings. It provides a way to keep these secrets safe and helps manage their lifecycle, including automatic rotation of secrets to enhance security. By using AWS Secrets Manager, organizations can avoid hardcoding credentials in their applications, thus reducing the risk of unauthorized access or exposure.

Additionally, Secrets Manager integrates with other AWS services and allows for fine-grained access control through AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), ensuring that only authorized users and applications can access the stored secrets. This capability is essential for maintaining good security hygiene, especially in cloud environments where sensitive information is often at stake.