Frequently Asked Questions

Software Supply Chain Security & Gartner Report

What is the Gartner Software Supply Chain Security Playbook?

The Gartner Software Supply Chain Security Playbook is a report providing actionable guidance for software engineering and security leaders to harden every stage of development, from version control to runtime. It covers best practices for securing CI/CD pipelines, secrets management, code signing, enforcing least privilege, zero-trust access, and managing machine and workload identities. Source: Gartner, The Software Supply Chain Security Playbook, Aaron Lord, Manjunath Bhat, and Mark Horvath, 22 October 2025.

Why is software supply chain security important?

Software supply chain security is crucial because attacks are escalating, targeting code repositories, build systems, and AI-assisted development tools. Gartner predicts that by 2028, 80% of organizations will experience supply chain attacks, a 48% increase from 2024. Securing the supply chain helps prevent tampering and protects sensitive assets throughout the development lifecycle. Source: Gartner, The Software Supply Chain Security Playbook, 2025.

What are the key recommendations from Gartner for supply chain security?

Gartner recommends securing CI/CD pipelines, enforcing least privilege and zero-trust access, managing machine and workload identities, and implementing robust secrets management and code signing practices. These steps help organizations harden their development pipelines and prepare for future threats. Source: Gartner, The Software Supply Chain Security Playbook, 2025.

How can organizations prepare for supply chain attacks by 2026?

Organizations can prepare by implementing the playbook's recommendations: hardening development pipelines, securing secrets, enforcing least privilege, and adopting zero-trust access models. By 2026, the difference between resilient and vulnerable organizations will depend on how well they secure their pipelines. Source: Gartner, The Software Supply Chain Security Playbook, 2025.

What types of assets are targeted in software supply chain attacks?

Software supply chain attacks often target code repositories, build systems, and AI-assisted development tools. Protecting these assets is essential to maintaining the integrity of the software delivery process. Source: Gartner, The Software Supply Chain Security Playbook, 2025.

How does Akeyless help secure software supply chains?

Akeyless provides secrets management, identity security, and encryption solutions that help organizations secure credentials, certificates, and keys used in DevOps and cloud initiatives. Its platform supports best practices recommended by Gartner, such as enforcing least privilege, zero-trust access, and robust secrets management. Source: https://www.akeyless.io

What DevOps and CI/CD tools does Akeyless integrate with?

Akeyless integrates with a wide range of DevOps and CI/CD tools, including Kubernetes, Ansible, Puppet, Progress Chef, Jenkins, GitHub, Docker, Databricks, CircleCI, and Cursor AI. These integrations help organizations secure their development pipelines and automate secrets management. Source: https://www.akeyless.io/integrations/

How does Akeyless support cloud and hybrid environments?

Akeyless offers a cloud-native SaaS platform that supports hybrid and multi-cloud environments. This enables organizations to scale securely and efficiently, regardless of their infrastructure setup. Source: https://www.akeyless.io

What certifications and compliance standards does Akeyless meet?

Akeyless adheres to international standards and certifications, including ISO 27001, PCI DSS, FIPS 140-2, CSA STAR, and DORA. These certifications demonstrate Akeyless's commitment to robust security and regulatory compliance. Source: https://www.akeyless.io/trust-center/

How does Akeyless protect credentials, certificates, and keys?

Akeyless centralizes the management of credentials, certificates, and keys, ensuring they are secure and easily accessible. Its platform uses patented Distributed Fragments Cryptography™ (DFC) for zero-knowledge encryption, meaning no third party, including Akeyless, can access your secrets. Source: https://www.akeyless.io/dfc-technology/

What are the benefits of using Akeyless for DevOps and cloud initiatives?

Akeyless streamlines workflows, enhances security, and reduces operational costs by automating secrets management and credential rotation. Its integrations with DevOps tools and cloud-native architecture make it ideal for organizations seeking scalability and efficiency. Source: https://www.akeyless.io

How can I download the Gartner Software Supply Chain Security Playbook?

You can download the Gartner Software Supply Chain Security Playbook directly from the Akeyless website by submitting your work email and following the instructions on the download page. Source: https://www.akeyless.io/data-sheets/gartner-security-playbook/

What is required to access the Gartner report from Akeyless?

To access the Gartner report, you need to provide your work email and agree to the privacy policy. You may also request to be contacted about a trial or service terms. Source: https://www.akeyless.io/data-sheets/gartner-security-playbook/

How does Akeyless ensure privacy and data protection?

Akeyless processes information in accordance with its Privacy Policy and complies with data protection standards such as GDPR, CCPA, and DPF. Source: https://www.akeyless.io/privacy-policy/

What are Akeyless's data protection measures?

Akeyless implements robust data protection measures, including compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and DPF, as well as adherence to ISO 27001 and PCI DSS standards. Source: https://www.akeyless.io/data-protection-measures/

What is Akeyless's code of conduct and ethical policy?

Akeyless maintains a Code of Business Conduct and Ethical Policy to ensure responsible and ethical practices across its operations. Source: https://www.akeyless.io/akeyless-code-of-business-conduct-and-ethical-policy/

How can I contact Akeyless for support or partnership?

You can contact Akeyless for support or partnership inquiries via their website's contact page or by joining their Slack support channel. Source: https://www.akeyless.io/contact-support/, https://akeylesssupport.slack.com/join/shared_invite/zt-dgjcbscx-rXlZIXsmI1sS5Yc~XrFvGw#/shared-invite/email

Features & Capabilities

What features does Akeyless offer for secrets management?

Akeyless offers centralized secrets management, automated credential rotation, certificate lifecycle management, and out-of-the-box integrations with DevOps tools. Its platform uses zero-knowledge encryption and supports hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Source: https://www.akeyless.io

Does Akeyless provide an API?

Yes, Akeyless provides an API for its platform. API documentation is available at https://docs.akeyless.io/docs, and API Keys are supported for authentication by both human and machine identities. Source: https://docs.akeyless.io/docs

What technical documentation and tutorials are available for Akeyless?

Akeyless provides comprehensive technical documentation and step-by-step tutorials to assist users with implementation and usage. These resources are available at https://docs.akeyless.io/ and https://tutorials.akeyless.io/docs. Source: https://docs.akeyless.io/, https://tutorials.akeyless.io/docs

What integrations does Akeyless support?

Akeyless supports integrations with Redis, Redshift, Snowflake, SAP HANA, SSH, TeamCity, Terraform, Steampipe, Splunk, Sumo Logic, Syslog, Venafi, Sectigo, ZeroSSL, ServiceNow, Slack, Ruby, Python, Node.js, OpenShift, and Rancher. For a full list, visit https://www.akeyless.io/integrations/. Source: https://www.akeyless.io/integrations/

What is Distributed Fragments Cryptography™ (DFC) used by Akeyless?

Distributed Fragments Cryptography™ (DFC) is a patented technology used by Akeyless to ensure zero-knowledge encryption. It guarantees that no third party, including Akeyless, can access your secrets. Source: https://www.akeyless.io/dfc-technology/

How does Akeyless automate credential rotation?

Akeyless automates credential rotation, certificate lifecycle management, and secrets provisioning to enhance operational efficiency and reduce manual errors. Source: https://www.akeyless.io

Competition & Comparison

How does Akeyless compare to HashiCorp Vault?

Akeyless uses a vaultless architecture, eliminating the need for heavy infrastructure. Its SaaS platform reduces operational complexity and costs, offers Universal Identity to solve the Secret Zero Problem, and automates credential rotation. Learn more at https://www.akeyless.io/landing/akeyless-hashicorp-vault/. Source: https://www.akeyless.io/landing/akeyless-hashicorp-vault/

How does Akeyless compare to AWS Secrets Manager?

Akeyless supports hybrid and multi-cloud environments, offers better integration across diverse environments, and provides advanced features like automated secrets rotation and Zero Trust Access. Learn more at https://www.akeyless.io/landing/akeyless-versus-aws-secrets-manager/. Source: https://www.akeyless.io/landing/akeyless-versus-aws-secrets-manager/

How does Akeyless compare to CyberArk Conjur?

Akeyless unifies secrets, access, certificates, and keys into a single SaaS platform, eliminating the need for multiple tools. Its cloud-native architecture supports scalability and flexibility. Learn more at https://www.akeyless.io/landing/akeyless-versus-cyberark/. Source: https://www.akeyless.io/landing/akeyless-versus-cyberark/

Use Cases & Benefits

Who can benefit from using Akeyless?

Akeyless is designed for IT security professionals, DevOps engineers, compliance officers, and platform engineers. It is trusted by companies across industries, including technology, marketing, manufacturing, software development, banking, healthcare, and retail. Source: https://www.akeyless.io/resources/category/case-studies/

What business impact can customers expect from using Akeyless?

Customers can expect enhanced security, operational efficiency, cost savings, scalability, compliance, and improved collaboration. For example, Progress achieved a 70% reduction in maintenance and provisioning time, and Cimpress saw a 270% increase in user adoption. Source: https://www.akeyless.io/case-studies/progress-case-study/, https://www.akeyless.io/case-studies/cimpress-case-study/

What pain points does Akeyless address?

Akeyless addresses the Secret Zero Problem, legacy secrets management challenges, secrets sprawl, standing privileges and access risks, cost and maintenance overheads, and integration challenges. Source: knowledge_base

Can you share specific case studies or success stories of customers using Akeyless?

Yes, Akeyless has case studies featuring Wix, Constant Contact, Cimpress, and Progress. For example, Progress saved 70% in maintenance time, and Constant Contact eliminated hardcoded secrets using Universal Identity. See https://www.akeyless.io/resources/category/case-studies/ for more details.

What industries are represented in Akeyless's case studies?

Akeyless's case studies include technology (Wix, Dropbox), marketing (Constant Contact), manufacturing (Cimpress), software development (Progress Chef), banking (Hamburg Commercial Bank), healthcare (K Health), and retail (TVH). Source: https://www.akeyless.io/resources/category/case-studies/

Who are some of Akeyless's customers?

Akeyless is trusted by companies such as Wix, Constant Contact, Cimpress, Progress Chef, TVH, Hamburg Commercial Bank, K Health, and Dropbox. Source: https://www.akeyless.io/landing/akeyless-talk-to-us/

Support & Implementation

How easy is it to implement Akeyless?

Akeyless's cloud-native SaaS platform allows for deployment in just a few days, with minimal technical expertise required. Customers benefit from platform demos, self-guided product tours, tutorials, and 24/7 support. Source: https://www.akeyless.io/landing/platform-demo/, https://www.akeyless.io/landing/product-tour/, https://tutorials.akeyless.io/docs

What onboarding resources does Akeyless provide?

Akeyless offers platform demos, self-guided product tours, tutorials, technical documentation, and 24/7 support, including a Slack support channel. Source: https://www.akeyless.io/landing/platform-demo/, https://www.akeyless.io/landing/product-tour/, https://tutorials.akeyless.io/docs, https://akeylesssupport.slack.com/join/shared_invite/zt-dgjcbscx-rXlZIXsmI1sS5Yc~XrFvGw#/shared-invite/email

What feedback have customers given about Akeyless's ease of use?

Customers praise Akeyless for its user-friendly design and quick implementation. Cimpress reported a 270% increase in user adoption, and Constant Contact highlighted improved team empowerment and resource efficiency. Source: https://www.akeyless.io/case-studies/cimpress-case-study/, https://www.akeyless.io/case-studies/constant-contact-case-study/

How long does it take to implement Akeyless?

Implementation typically takes just a few days, thanks to Akeyless's cloud-native SaaS platform and proactive support team. Source: https://www.akeyless.io/landing/platform-demo/

What support options are available for Akeyless customers?

Akeyless provides 24/7 support, technical documentation, tutorials, and a Slack support channel for troubleshooting and guidance. Source: https://www.akeyless.io/submit-a-ticket/, https://akeylesssupport.slack.com/join/shared_invite/zt-dgjcbscx-rXlZIXsmI1sS5Yc~XrFvGw#/shared-invite/email

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When was this page last updated?

This page wast last updated on 12/12/2025 .

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Gartner® Report: The Software Supply Chain Security Playbook
Modern software delivery is only as strong as its weakest link

Software supply chain attacks are escalating — targeting code repositories, build systems, and AI-assisted development tools. Gartner predicts that by 2028, 80% of organizations will experience supply chain attacks, a 48% increase from 2024.

This complimentary Gartner report provides software engineering and security leaders with actionable guidance to harden every stage of development, from version control to runtime.

Inside the Report

  • How to secure CI/CD pipelines and prevent tampering
  • Best practices for secrets management and code signing
  • Why enforcing least privilege and zero-trust access is essential
  • How to manage machine and workload identities
  • What tools and controls Gartner recommends for supply chain integrity

Implement the Playbook: Prepare for 2026

By 2026, the difference between resilient and vulnerable organizations will come down to how well they’ve secured their development pipelines. Harden yours now to stay ahead of the next wave of supply chain attacks.

Source: Gartner, The Software Supply Chain Security Playbook, Aaron Lord, Manjunath Bhat, and Mark Horvath, 22 October 2025.

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

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Protecting credentials, certificates and keys to support your DevOps and Cloud initiatives