What happens to the API information if the secret is compromised?

When an API secret is compromised, the information associated with that API is typically designed to be immediately rendered obsolete or unusable to protect the integrity and security of the system. This means that if a secret is leaked, any access that was previously granted using that secret can no longer be utilized, effectively making the API information inaccessible. In practice, this response helps to mitigate potential security breaches by ensuring that unauthorized users cannot gain further access by abusing the compromised secret.

The nature of APIs is such that they rely heavily on authentication mechanisms like secrets to function properly and securely. When the secret is known to be compromised, the proper action would be to revoke access tied to that secret, leading to its disappearance from the accessible options for very much the same reason credentials need to be changed immediately if compromised.

This protective measure emphasizes the importance of managing API secrets carefully and responding swiftly to any indication of compromise to maintain the overall security posture of the system and the data it handles.