May 31, 2026
Posted by Alon Bar
Akeyless offers a modern alternative to traditional Identity Security tools
Enterprises are juggling more identities than ever, human users, applications, DevOps pipelines, containers, AI agents, and machines. Each of these identities needs secure access to secrets, credentials, and keys, yet most security stacks rely on a patchwork of tools to handle them. Secrets management, PAM, certificate management, and key management often live in separate silos, each with its own product, deployment, and interface. This creates complexity, drives up costs, and leaves dangerous blind spots.
CyberArk has long been a well-known name in this space, with products spanning PAM, secrets management, certificate security, and machine identity. More recently, Palo Alto Networks introduced the Idira platform following its CyberArk acquisition, positioning it as a unified identity security control plane. However, many capabilities still operate across multiple integrated products and services rather than through a single SaaS-native operational platform.
Akeyless takes a different approach. It unifies secrets management, access management, key management, and certificate management into a single SaaS platform, built for scale and simplicity. With a unified SaaS control plane and API, organizations can consistently secure human, machine, workload, and AI agent identities across cloud, SaaS, hybrid, and on-prem environments.
Beyond traditional secrets management, Akeyless increasingly focuses on runtime identity security — brokering, enforcing, and auditing access dynamically at the moment of execution. Instead of distributing long-lived credentials to workloads, systems, or AI agents, Akeyless issues ephemeral, policy-controlled identities and continuously governs access in real time.
Secrets Management: Why Choose Akeyless Over CyberArk Conjur
Traditional secrets management solutions are burdened with complexity, maintenance, and scalability issues. On-prem tools require heavy infrastructure, while some SaaS tools raise concerns about data exposure. Akeyless was built to change that. Akeyless delivers a SaaS-based secrets management solution that uses patented cryptographic technology and a Zero-Knowledge model. It protects secrets, credentials, and keys across cloud-native, hybrid, and on-prem environments with agility and compliance, all without giving up control.
Compared to CyberArk Conjur, which remains a separate product within the CyberArk portfolio, Akeyless reduces silos, streamlines operations, and lowers management overhead..
Technical Advantages of Akeyless Secrets Management
Akeyless delivers secrets management as part of its unified identity security SaaS platform for machines, AI agents, and humans. Encryption keys are split using Distributed Fragments Cryptography™ (DFC™), ensuring no one, not even Akeyless, can access customer secrets. It automates rotation, supports dynamic and just-in-time secrets, and integrates with a wide range of databases, cloud services, SaaS platforms, and DevOps tools. This unified model means secrets management is delivered consistently from the same platform and UI that also governs certificates, keys, and access.
CyberArk Conjur provides secrets management and workload identity capabilities for cloud-native environments, particularly Kubernetes and DevOps use cases. However, Akeyless delivers broader SaaS-native integration coverage, unified governance, and centralized management across secrets, PAM, certificates, machine identity, and AI agent security. It is part of the broader CyberArk product suite but remains a standalone product, separate from CyberArk PAM, which adds complexity and fragments operations for enterprises comparing Akeyless vs. CyberArk.
Why Teams Prefer Akeyless for Secrets Management:
– Wide dynamic secrets coverage across databases, cloud IAM, Kubernetes, and SaaS apps, while Conjur falls short.
– Automated migration from Vault, AWS, GCP, and Azure, whereas CyberArk requires manual export and reconfiguration that slows projects.
– Unified platform: Secrets managed alongside access and PKI, while CyberArk isolates these functions in separate products.
Comparison Table: Akeyless vs. CyberArk Conjur
| Feature | Akeyless Secrets Management Solution | CyberArk Conjur |
| Deployment | SaaS (multi/single tenant), hybrid gateway, Zero-Knowledge | On-prem, Conjur Cloud, more complex onboarding |
| Secrets Rotation | Wide coverage: SSH, databases, cloud IAM, LDAP | Limited (primarily AWS and PostgreSQL) |
| Dynamic Secrets | Broad support across cloud, databases, Kubernetes, SaaS, and AI workflows | Supported for cloud-native and Kubernetes environments |
| Authentication | OIDC, SAML, AWS IAM, GCP, Azure AD, Oracle IAM, LDAP | Mostly LDAP and basic cloud integrations |
| Authorization | RBAC + ABAC | RBAC only, requires many static roles |
| Migration | Automated from AWS, Azure, GCP, Vault, 1Password | Manual, limited tooling |
| DevOps Integrations | Broad coverage with native CI/CD integrations | Narrow, often requires custom scripts |
| Platform | Unified SaaS platform securing human, machine, workload, and AI identities through one control plane and API | Integrated Identity Security Platform spanning PAM, machine identity, and certificate security across multiple products |
Modern PAM: Why Choose Akeyless Secure Remote Access Over CyberArk PAM
Akeyless Secure Remote Access (SRA) extends modern PAM into runtime identity security by issuing ephemeral, policy-controlled access dynamically at execution time. Instead of relying on standing privileged accounts, Akeyless enforces Just-in-Time access, Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP), and short-lived identities across infrastructure, cloud, Kubernetes, databases, and remote access workflows. Engineers can connect with their native tools or a web portal, while the solution records sessions, enforces policies, and integrates with SSO. As a SaaS solution, it delivers 99.99% availability without requiring customers to manage HA clusters. And unlike CyberArk, it is part of the same unified Akeyless platform, managed through the same UI and API as secrets and certificates.
CyberArk PAM now includes Secure Infrastructure Access, which supports ZSP and vaulted credential access models across infrastructure targets. However, this still operates as part of a broader CyberArk architecture with multiple services and access paths, while Akeyless delivers secrets, privileged access, machine identity, and AI agent security through one SaaS-native operational model.
Why Teams Prefer Akeyless for Secure Remote Access:
– SaaS-native, globally available, and always on, while CyberArk often forces customers to build and maintain HA clusters.
– Native short-lived SSH certificates and ephemeral accounts, compared to CyberArk’s reliance on static keys and permanent accounts.
– Unified platform: Secure Remote Access is delivered from the same platform as secrets and certificates, unlike CyberArk’s fragmented stack.
Comparison Table: Akeyless vs. CyberArk PAM
| Feature | Modern PAM With Akeyless Secure Remote Access | CyberArk PAM |
| Deployment | SaaS, multi-tenant, VPN-less | SaaS (Privilege Cloud) and self-hosted |
| Workload Support | Hybrid, ephemeral, SaaS, DevOps | Servers, databases, SaaS (SWS), Kubernetes (DPA) |
| Identities | Ephemeral, Just-in-Time, policy-controlled identities | ZSP and vaulted credential models through Secure Infrastructure Access and PAM |
| SSH Authentication | Short-lived SSH certs | Static SSH keys |
| Protocols | SSH, RDP, databases, Kubernetes, Web Apps | SSH, RDP, databases |
| User Experience | Native tools + portal | Video-based, less efficient |
| Availability | 99.99% SaaS | Customer-managed HA required |
| Integration | Direct SSO (OIDC, SAML, LDAP) | AD sync/replication |
| Platform | Unified runtime identity security platform across PAM, secrets, certificates, machines, and AI agents | Identity Security Platform integrating PAM, machine identity, and certificate security products |
Certificate Lifecycle Management: Why Choose Akeyless Over CyberArk Certificate Manager (formerly Venafi)
Akeyless integrates certificate lifecycle management (CLM) with secrets and key management in one SaaS platform. It automates certificate issuance and renewal across AWS, Azure, and GCP, supports ACME, and secures keys with DFC and FIPS 140-2 Level 3 HSMs. Customers manage certificates and keys from the same console used for secrets and access. This unified experience means CLM is not siloed, but part of a single UI and API for all identity security needs.
Venafi provides certificate discovery and automation, but only as separate modules without a built-in KMS. That means more integrations, more components, and less centralized control. CyberArk customers using Venafi face siloed management across products.
Why Teams Prefer Akeyless for Certificate Lifecycle Management:
– Unified SaaS platform with CLM, secrets, and KMS together, while Venafi and CyberArk require stitching tools together.
– Zero-knowledge key protection, compared to Venafi’s reliance on API keys and modular architecture.
– Single UI and API: Akeyless consolidates certificates, secrets, and access in one place, while CyberArk/Venafi split them across multiple systems.
Comparison Table: Akeyless vs. CyberArk Certificate Manager (Venafi)
| Feature | Akeyless CLM | CyberArk Certificate Manager (Venafi) |
| Certificate Support | Public, Private, Multi-domain, Code Signing | Public, Private, Multi-domain, Code Signing |
| Provisioning & Renewal | Automated (AWS, Azure, GCP) | Automated (AWS, Azure only) |
| Revocation | Supported | Supported |
| ACME Support | ACME v2 built in | Yes |
| Security | Zero-Knowledge, DFC, FIPS 140-2 L3 HSMs | API key-based |
| Built-in KMS | Yes | No |
| Secrets Integration | Native | External required |
| Certificate Discovery | Private, public, cloud scans (Q4 2025) | Private, public, scheduled discovery |
| Platform | Unified SaaS platform combining CLM, KMS, secrets, PAM, and AI identity security | Certificate security integrated into CyberArk’s broader Identity Security Platform |
AI Agent Identity Security: Why Choose Akeyless Over CyberArk
AI agents introduce a new identity security challenge. Unlike traditional workloads, AI agents operate autonomously, interact dynamically with multiple systems, and increasingly make runtime decisions that affect sensitive data and infrastructure. Securing these agents requires more than static secrets or traditional PAM controls.
Akeyless extends identity security to AI agents through runtime identity enforcement, secretless connectivity, and intent-aware access controls. The platform secures the full path between AI agents and target systems using ephemeral identities, Just-in-Time access, and Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP). Every action is brokered, monitored, and fully auditable.
CyberArk has now introduced Idira and documented Secure AI agents capabilities, including AI agent inventory, agent registration, MCP-based access brokering, audit visibility, and ZSP enforcement for SIA-based database access. However, the documented scope is still centered on MCP-connected agents and, in the initial release, SIA-based database access. Akeyless differentiates through broader secretless connectivity, runtime identity enforcement, and unified governance across AI agents, machines, humans, secrets, PAM, certificates, and keys.
CyberArk also emphasizes AI-driven identity intelligence in Idira, including discovery of hidden entitlements, unmanaged accounts, risky access combinations, and automated least-privilege recommendations.
Why Teams Prefer Akeyless for AI Agent Security:
– SecretlessAI™ prevents AI agents from storing or handling static credentials.
– Runtime Authority evaluates agent behavior and intent before granting access.
– Unified visibility and forensic auditability across AI agents, machines, and human identities.
Comparison Table: AI Agent Security
| Feature | Akeyless AI Agent Identity Security | CyberArk / Idira |
| AI Agent Discovery | Discovers agents, access paths, and identity risk | AI agent inventory and discovery across supported environments |
| Runtime Enforcement | Intent-aware runtime authorization and policy enforcement | Identity Broker routes AI agent access to MCP servers |
| Secretless AI Access | SecretlessAI™ with ephemeral credentials | Registered agents receive credentials for MCP access |
| Connectivity Scope | Broad multi-hop connectivity across cloud, SaaS, on-prem, and legacy systems | Initial documented support focuses on MCP and SIA-based database access |
| Zero Standing Privileges | Native JIT ephemeral identities across agent workflows | ZSP supported for SIA database access |
| Forensic Traceability | Chain-of-logic auditability across identity, policy, and action | Audit links human user, AI agent identity, tool activity, and target resource |
| Platform Integration | Unified with PAM, Secrets, CLM, KMS, and AI security | Integrated into Idira / CyberArk Identity Security Platform |
The Akeyless Difference
Akeyless combines secrets management, machine identity security, certificate lifecycle management, key management, password management, Modern PAM, and AI agent identity security into one unified SaaS platform. The platform is designed around a unified identity security model where human users, machines, workloads, and AI agents are governed consistently through the same runtime identity, policy, and audit framework. It uniquely unifies the security of machines, AI agents, and humans under a single UI and API. Its Zero-Knowledge design eliminates infrastructure burdens and reduces costs by up to 70 percent. It scales globally with low latency and high availability, supports hybrid and multi-cloud environments, and enables modern identity models such as AI agents and machine identities.
CyberArk now positions Idira as a unified identity security control plane for human, machine, and AI agent identities. However, its documented capabilities still depend on multiple underlying CyberArk services, including Secure Infrastructure Access, Identity Broker, Discovery & Context, PAM, and Venafi-derived certificate and machine identity components. Akeyless continues to differentiate through a SaaS-native platform built around one operational model for secrets, access, certificates, keys, machines, humans, and AI agents..
Verdict: Akeyless is the Better Choice
For organizations securing human, machine, workload, and AI agent identities across cloud and hybrid environments, Akeyless delivers a more unified and modern approach to identity security. Its SaaS-native platform combines secrets management, PAM, machine identity security, certificate lifecycle management, key management, and AI agent security through a single control plane and API.
Unlike traditional vault-centric and modular approaches, Akeyless focuses on runtime identity security: brokering ephemeral, policy-controlled access dynamically at execution time with Zero-Knowledge protection, Just-in-Time access, and Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP). While CyberArk has expanded its broader Identity Security Platform capabilities, Akeyless provides a more unified operational model designed for modern infrastructure, cloud-native workloads, and AI-driven environments.
FAQs
What is the difference between Akeyless and CyberArk?
Akeyless is a unified runtime identity security platform that secures human, machine, workload, and AI agent identities through one SaaS control plane. It combines secrets management, PAM, machine identity security, certificate lifecycle management, key management, and AI agent security into a single platform. CyberArk provides many similar capabilities across its broader Identity Security Platform, but often through multiple integrated products and management layers.
Does Akeyless replace CyberArk Conjur?
Akeyless can replace CyberArk Conjur for organizations seeking a unified SaaS-native platform for secrets management, workload identity, PAM, certificate management, and AI agent security. Akeyless provides broader centralized governance, runtime identity enforcement, and integrated visibility across cloud, SaaS, hybrid, and on-prem environments.
Can Akeyless replace CyberArk PAM?
Yes. Akeyless Secure Remote Access modernizes privileged access through ephemeral identities, Just-in-Time access, and Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP). Unlike traditional vault-centric PAM approaches, Akeyless focuses on runtime identity enforcement and policy-controlled access across cloud, infrastructure, Kubernetes, databases, and AI-driven environments.
How does Akeyless compare to Venafi for certificate management?
Akeyless combines certificate lifecycle management, key management, secrets management, PAM, and machine identity security in one SaaS platform. While CyberArk has significantly expanded its machine identity and certificate security capabilities through Venafi integration, Akeyless provides a more unified experience through a single control plane and API. This reduces operational complexity and enables consistent automation, governance, and security across certificates, secrets, keys, and privileged access.
How does Akeyless secure secrets?
Akeyless uses patented Distributed Fragments Cryptography, so keys never assemble in full. CyberArk cannot offer the same zero-knowledge guarantee.
Does Akeyless support hybrid and multi-cloud?
Yes, Akeyless integrates with AWS, Azure, GCP, and on-prem, scaling automatically. CyberArk requires more manual setup for hybrid environments.
How does Akeyless secure AI agents?
Akeyless secures AI agents through runtime identity enforcement, secretless connectivity, and intent-aware access controls. The platform issues ephemeral, Just-in-Time identities, brokers secure access between AI agents and target systems, and provides full forensic auditability across agent actions, machine identities, and human access.
What is runtime identity security?
Runtime identity security extends identity beyond authentication and authorization into continuous runtime governance. Akeyless continuously evaluates identity, context, intent, policy, and behavior before and during execution, providing guardrails that govern what workloads, machines, privileged users, and AI agents can do in production environments. This enables organizations to enforce runtime policies, control actions at execution time, and intervene immediately when risk conditions emerge.
Next Steps
Modernize secrets and identity security with Akeyless. Unify identity security for humans, machines, and AI agents in one cloud-native platform, managed through a single UI and API. Request a demo or start your free trial today.
