Short answer: A secrets manager protects credentials at rest, while a secure agent runtime controls how an AI agent uses a credential during an action without giving the credential to the agent.
Secure storage does not guarantee secure agent execution
Vault products are essential for storing, rotating, and issuing credentials. The remaining question is what happens after a credential is retrieved. If an agent receives the value, that value may enter logs, memory, traces, or compromised tool flows.
A secure agent runtime keeps the credential inside a controlled execution boundary. The agent asks for an action, and the runtime uses the secret on its behalf only after policy permits the request.
How the two layers work together
- The vault stores the credential. It controls secret lifecycle, access, issuance, and rotation.
- The runtime stores a reference. Tool policy points to a vault path or credential identifier, not a copied value.
- The agent requests an action. The request contains a tool name and business parameters, not authentication material.
- The runtime checks policy. Unauthorized requests are blocked before a secret is retrieved.
- The runtime calls the API. It fetches and applies the current credential inside the execution boundary.
- The agent receives a governed result. The credential remains hidden and restricted response fields can be removed.
How KeyRunner works with enterprise vaults
KeyRunner complements HashiCorp Vault, 1Password, AWS Secrets Manager, Azure Key Vault, GCP Secret Manager, and other vaults. It binds approved agent tools to credential references and resolves them at execution time.
The vault remains the system of record for secrets. KeyRunner becomes the policy and execution layer that prevents the secret from reaching the model while producing an audit record of how it was used.
Enterprise checklist
- Vault remains the secret system of record
- Tools store references rather than values
- Policy runs before secret retrieval
- Agent never receives the secret
- Rotation is transparent to agents
- Execution use is audited
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a secure agent runtime and a secrets manager?
A secrets manager protects credentials at rest, while a secure agent runtime controls how an AI agent uses a credential during an action without giving the credential to the agent.
Does KeyRunner replace HashiCorp Vault or 1Password?
No. KeyRunner integrates with vaults and governs agent execution. The vault secures storage, and KeyRunner secures use.
Can credential rotation happen without updating agents?
Yes. When the runtime resolves the vault reference at execution time, the next call can use the rotated value without placing a new secret in agent configuration.
Related KeyRunner guides
- How Do AI Agents Access APIs Without Exposing Credentials?
- What Is MCP Security and How Do You Govern MCP Tools?
- How Do You Enforce Least Privilege for AI Agents?
- Agentic Security and AI Governance Guide
Explore the KeyRunner secure agent runtime, step through the live governance scenarios, or talk with the KeyRunner team.