BV vs Google Secret Manager

This document compares BV with Google Secret Manager.

Similarities

Both systems facilitate the retrieval of encrypted application-level secrets and credentials at runtime:

• secure storage and retrieval of secrets
• encrypted at rest
• API-based runtime retrieval
• designed for service-to-service use

Key differences

BV

• hierarchical envelope encryption
• dedicated key server separate from secret storage
• operator-controlled root key
• provider independent
• strong cryptographic isolation boundaries

Google Secret Manager

• integrated with Google Cloud KMS
• runs entirely inside GCP control plane
• access controlled through IAM
• optimized for GCP-native workloads

Trust model

BV

• trust limited to BV services and operator-controlled key custody

Google

• trust includes Google-managed infrastructure and KMS

When BV may be preferred

• cloud-agnostic environments
• compliance requiring direct control over root keys
• strict separation of key handling and data handling

When Google may be preferred

• fully on GCP
• want tight integration with GCP services
• prefer fully provider-managed stack