Managing credential security

Secure credential storage

The Zowe CLI Secure Credential Store (SCS) Plug-in was deprecated in Zowe V2, rendering the zowe scs command group obsolete.

Secure credential encryption is included with the Zowe CLI core application. When a command using a profile with missing user and password information is issued, Zowe CLI prompts you to enter the username and password. Both are then stored securely by default.

For other ways to store credentials securely, use the zowe config command group. See the following instructions.

Configuring secure properties

Create a configuration file and set its secure properties (such as usernames and passwords):

1. Open the Zowe CLI command prompt.

2. To initialize a project team configuration file in the current working directory:

   zowe config init

   To initialize a project user configuration file in the current working directory:

   zowe config init --user-config

   To initialize a global team configuration file in the ZOWE_CLI_HOME directory:

   zowe config init --global-config

   To initialize a global user configuration file in the ZOWE_CLI_HOME directory:

   zowe config init --global-config --user-config

   A configuration file is created, if one does not already exist.

   Additionally, the user and password fields are added to the generated base profile's secure array for that configuration file. Zowe CLI stores the username and password in the secure credential store.

3. If needed, add other fields to the secure array.

   • Use a text editor or an IDE (such as Visual Studio Code) to edit the configuration file.

   • Issue the zowe config set --secure <property-path> command to secure a specific property in a specific profile.

     For example, in a global configuration file, zowe config set profiles.global_base.properties.password pw123 --secure adds the password property to the global_base profile's secure array and saves the password pw123 in the secure credential store.

     If you issue the command for a property that is already secured, the CLI prompts you to enter a new property value.

   The values for these properties are saved in the secure credential store.

Updating secure properties

Update secure credentials in an existing config profile:

1. Open the Zowe CLI command prompt.

2. To update values for secure fields in a project team configuration file:

   zowe config secure

   To update values for secure fields in a project user configuration file:

   zowe config secure --user-config

   To update values for secure fields in a global team configuration file:

   zowe config secure --global-config

   To update values for secure fields in a global user configuration file:

   zowe config secure --global-config --user-config

   Prompts request new values for all secure fields defined in the configuration file. In most cases, these properties include a username or password, but some users may include other fields, such as a token value or connection properties.

3. Respond to prompts as needed. Press Enter to leave the value unchanged.

   New values are saved in the secure credential store. After the last secure value is submitted, the user returns to the system command prompt.

Setting secure properties programmatically

When configuring secure properties with scripts or workflow pipelines, use the zowe config set command. See Step 3 in Configuring secure properties for instructions on how to use the command.