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Learn how to securely manage environment variables and sensitive API keys while deploying Next.js applications on AWS EC2 using best practices and AWS services.
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Securely Store Environment Variables and Secrets on AWS EC2 for Next.js Applications

Deploying applications in the cloud offers immense flexibility and scalability. However, handling sensitive information such as API keys and environment variables requires careful consideration to avoid security breaches. If you have recently deployed a Next.js app on AWS EC2 and are pondering how to effectively manage these sensitive data points, you're not alone.

In this guide, we will address the common issues that arise when storing environment variables and secrets, and provide you with a comprehensive solution using AWS-provided services.

The Problem: Exposing Sensitive Information

When deploying your Next.js application, you might have attempted to store your API keys directly in the next.config.js file. For instance, your code might look like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Although this approach seems convenient, embedding secrets directly into your codebase (especially if version controlled with Git or Bitbucket) poses a serious security risk. It makes your application vulnerable to unauthorized access and exploitation.

The Solution: Secure Storage Options on AWS

To mitigate security risks and ensure safe handling of sensitive data, AWS provides two robust services designed for storing secrets:

1. AWS Secrets Manager

What is it? AWS Secrets Manager is a service that helps you protect access to your applications, services, and IT resources without the upfront investment and on-going maintenance costs of operating your own infrastructure.

Use Cases:

Store database credentials, API keys, and tokens.

Automatically rotate secrets to enhance security.

2. AWS SSM Parameter Store

What is it? The AWS Systems Manager (SSM) Parameter Store provides secure storage for configuration data management and secrets management.

Use Cases:

Easily store and retrieve parameters securely.

Store strings, passwords, and data in plaintext or encrypted form.

Recommended Approach: Using AWS Secrets Manager

Here’s a step-by-step guide to safely store your environment variables using AWS Secrets Manager:

Step 1: Create Your Secrets

Go to the AWS Management Console.

Navigate to Secrets Manager.

Click on Store a new secret.

Enter your secret information (e.g., API keys) and give it a descriptive name.

Choose the appropriate encryption options.

Step 2: Access Secrets in Your Next.js Application

To access these secrets in your application, you can use the AWS SDK for JavaScript:

Install the AWS SDK:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Retrieve Secrets:
In your code, you can retrieve your stored secrets like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 3: Testing Your Configuration

Make sure to test your application to ensure that it can access the secrets securely and function as expected.

Conclusion

Storing sensitive information such as environment variables and API keys directly in your code is a risky proposition. By leveraging AWS Secrets Manager and SSM Parameter Store, you can secure your secrets efficiently while ensuring that your Next.js application remains robust and reliable.

Always remember, safeguarding sensitive data should be a top priority in any production environment.

For more tips on best practices in cloud security and application deployment, stay tuned to our blog!