What is the function of Docker secrets?

Docker secrets serve the purpose of securely managing sensitive data, such as passwords, tokens, or SSH keys, within Docker Swarm mode. This feature ensures that sensitive information is protected and can be accessed safely by services running in a Swarm cluster. Unlike environment variables or configuration files, which can be exposed, Docker secrets keeps data encrypted during transit and storage. They are only accessible to the services that need them, enhancing security and minimizing the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data in multi-container applications.

Managing secrets this way allows for a more secure handling of sensitive configurations that are essential for applications, particularly when deploying them in production environments. This capability is integral in maintaining security and operational integrity in applications managed through Docker.