How Can I Securely Store and Access Private Keys for JWTs in Google App Engine?

Storing Private Keys Safely in Google App Engine

When creating JSON web tokens using "github.com/dgrijalva/jwt-go," accessing the file system to retrieve the private key is not possible in Google App Engine (GAE). The question arises, then, how to securely store and access the key.

Consider Static Storage or Datastore

In GAE, you have limited access to the host operating system's file system. However, you can access static files within your web application. If you don't need to modify the private key, you can store it as a static file in your app's root folder. This method is straightforward and avoids the need for runtime redeployment.

Alternatively, if you require dynamic key management, consider storing it in the Datastore. This allows you to modify the key from your application without needing to redeploy.

App.yaml Configuration

If you opt for static storage, ensure you configure your app.yaml file correctly. In the handlers section, include a pattern that defines the static file path. This configuration enables the App Engine to serve static files appropriately.

Additional Notes

It's important to note that not all files in your app are accessible to the code. Based on the app.yaml configuration, static files may not be readable by the application code. Remember, static files are served separately from application files. Therefore, data files that the application code needs to read must be explicitly defined as application files and excluded from static file patterns.

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