Getting CLI authentication right: the complete guide to all 5 methods

API keys and personal access tokens indeed come with significant security risks despite their convenience for automation tasks. Here's a deeper look at these risks and some best practices to mitigate them:

Risks of Using API Keys

1. Leakage:

   • Git Commits: Developers might accidentally commit configuration files containing API keys.
   • Logs: Logs can capture requests with the API key in plain text, especially if logging is enabled for debugging purposes.
   • Error Messages: If an error occurs during a request, the API key could be exposed in the stack trace or error message.

2. Overprivileged Access:

   • Many API keys provide broad access to resources, which can lead to severe consequences if they fall into the wrong hands. For example, an API key with full administrative privileges can cause significant damage.

3. No Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):

   • Unlike interactive login methods that often support MFA, API keys typically do not offer this layer of security.

Mitigation Strategies

1. Environment Variables:
   • Use environment variables to store sensitive information like API keys instead of hardcoding them in scripts or configuration files.
   • Ensure these environment variables are set

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