> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.futurex.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Ansible Vault

> Conceptual overview of integrating Futurex HSMs with Ansible Vault, covering features and integration patterns.

This document provides information on configuring Futurex Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) with Ansible Vault using Futurex PKCS#11 libraries. For additional questions related to your HSM, see the relevant user guide.

## About Ansible Vault

Ansible is an open-source IT automation tool developed by Red Hat. It automates various IT tasks, such as configuration management, application deployment, orchestration, and task automation.

Ansible Vault is a feature of Ansible that enables you to encrypt sensitive data, such as passwords or keys, in encrypted files instead of plaintext.

## Ansible Vault key features

* **Encrypt entire files** (YAML, vars, inventories)
* **Encrypt individual variables** using encrypt\_string
* **Support for multiple vault IDs/keys** (e.g., dev vs prod)
* **Secure file operations**: edit, view, rekey
* **CLI automation support** (--vault-password-file)
* **Avoids leaving decrypted data on disk** (when used carefully)
* **AES256 encryption** by default
* **Fully integrated with Ansible playbooks/workflows**

## Using HSMs to protect Ansible private keys

Ansible Vault can work with private keys stored on HSMs, which helps to prevent the disclosure of the keys and enables the secure usage of private keys to perform various functions.

With this integration, you can securely reference your private key stored in an HSM to perform automated encryption and decryption tasks using Ansible Playbooks with the Futurex PKCS #11 library, pkcs11-provider by Latchset, and OpenSSL.

## Guardian integration

The Guardian Series 3 introduces mission-critical viability to core cryptographic infrastructure, including:

* Centralization of device management
* Elimination of points of failure
* Distribution of transaction loads
* Group-specific function blocking
* User-defined grouping systems

See the applicable guide in the Futurex Portal for configuring HSMs with the Guardian Series 3, including PKCS #11 and CNG configuration.