Databricks API Keys & Secrets Remediation

Learn how to fix exposed API keys, secrets, and tokens in Databricks environments. Follow step-by-step guidance for NIST 800-53 compliance.

insecure APIs

NIST 800-53

databricks

Why It Matters

The core goal is to rapidly remediate exposed API keys, secrets, and tokens within your Databricks environment before they can be exploited by malicious actors. Fixing exposed credentials in Databricks is critical for organizations subject to NIST 800-53, as it helps you maintain proper cryptographic key management and access controls—preventing unauthorized access to sensitive data and systems.

Primary Risk: Insecure APIs and unauthorized system access

Relevant Regulation: NIST 800-53 Security and Privacy Controls

Swift remediation prevents credential abuse, maintains system integrity, and ensures compliance with federal security standards.

Prerequisites

Permissions & Roles

  • Databricks admin or service principal
  • Secret scope management privileges
  • Ability to rotate API keys and tokens

External Tools

  • Databricks CLI
  • Cyera DSPM account
  • Secret management system (Azure Key Vault/AWS Secrets Manager)

Prior Setup

  • Databricks workspace provisioned
  • Secret scopes configured
  • Incident response procedures defined
  • Emergency contact list prepared

Introducing Cyera

Cyera is a modern Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) platform that discovers, classifies, and continuously monitors your sensitive data across cloud services. Using advanced AI-powered pattern recognition and Named Entity Recognition (NER), Cyera automatically identifies exposed API keys, secrets, and tokens in Databricks notebooks, job configurations, and data files. This enables immediate remediation of credential exposures before they can be exploited.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Assess the exposure scope

Review the Cyera findings to understand which credentials are exposed, their location, and potential impact. Prioritize active API keys and tokens that could provide immediate system access.

databricks secrets list-scopes

2
Rotate compromised credentials immediately

For each exposed credential, generate new API keys or tokens in the source system. Update applications and services to use the new credentials before revoking the old ones.

3
Implement proper secret management

Move hardcoded secrets from notebooks and configurations into Databricks secret scopes. Use external secret stores like Azure Key Vault or AWS Secrets Manager for enhanced security.

4
Update code and configurations

Replace hardcoded credentials with secret references using dbutils.secrets.get(). Update job configurations, init scripts, and cluster settings to use proper secret management patterns.

Architecture & Workflow

Databricks Notebooks & Jobs

Source locations of exposed credentials

Cyera AI Detection

Identifies patterns and extracts credential exposures

Secret Management System

Secure storage for rotated credentials

Remediation Tracking

Monitors fix status and compliance

Remediation Flow Summary

Detect Exposure → Rotate Credentials → Update References → Verify Remediation

Best Practices & Tips

Emergency Response

  • Establish credential rotation SLAs
  • Maintain emergency contact procedures
  • Document all remediation actions taken

Secret Management

  • Use external secret stores when possible
  • Implement least-privilege access policies
  • Enable secret rotation automation

Common Pitfalls

  • Failing to check git history for exposed secrets
  • Not updating all dependent services simultaneously
  • Missing secrets in cluster init scripts

References & Further Reading

Next Steps

🛡️ Prevent: Implement proactive secret management controls 🔍 Detect: Set up continuous monitoring for credential exposures