HashiCorp Vault vs AWS Secrets Manager
Compare HashiCorp Vault certification and AWS secrets management expertise.
HashiCorp Vault Associate
HashiCorp
AWS Security Specialty (Secrets focus)
Amazon Web Services
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Compare all aspects of these certifications side by side
| Feature | HashiCorp Vault Associate | AWS Security Specialty (Secrets focus) |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | HashiCorp | Amazon Web Services |
| Difficulty Level | Associate | Specialty |
| Exam Duration | 60 minutes | 170 minutes |
| Exam Cost | $70 USD | $300 USD |
| Exam Format | 57 questions | 65 questions |
| Prerequisites | None | 5+ years experience |
| Validity Period | 2 years | 3 years |
| Ideal For | DevOps engineers managing secrets | AWS security engineers |
| Salary Range | $115,000 - $160,000 | $140,000 - $190,000 |
What Each Certification Covers
Key topics and domains covered in each exam
HashiCorp Vault Associate Focus Areas
- Secrets Engines
- Auth Methods
- Policies
- Tokens
- Dynamic Secrets
AWS Security Specialty (Secrets focus) Focus Areas
- Secrets Manager
- Parameter Store
- KMS
- IAM
- Rotation
Our Recommendation
Vault is multi-cloud and feature-rich; AWS Secrets Manager is native AWS.
Choose HashiCorp Vault Associate
Choose Vault for multi-cloud secrets management.
Choose AWS Security Specialty (Secrets focus)
Choose AWS-native for simpler AWS-only environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: HashiCorp Vault Associate or AWS Security Specialty (Secrets focus)?
Vault is multi-cloud and feature-rich; AWS Secrets Manager is native AWS.
What are the salary differences between HashiCorp Vault Associate?
HashiCorp Vault Associate typically offers salaries around $115,000 - $160,000, while AWS Security Specialty (Secrets focus) offers $140,000 - $190,000.
Which certification should I get first?
Choose Vault for multi-cloud secrets management. Choose AWS-native for simpler AWS-only environments.
How long does it take to prepare for these certifications?
Preparation time varies based on experience. Most candidates spend 4-12 weeks studying, depending on their background and the certification difficulty level.
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