Token Expiration is a security mechanism that automatically invalidates a credential after a predetermined time period, limiting the window of exposure.
Token Expiration
Token Expiration is a security mechanism that automatically invalidates a credential after a predetermined time period, limiting the window of exposure.
Why It Matters
Tokens that never expire remain valid even after their intended purpose is complete. The longer a token lives, the more likely it is to be compromised. NIST recommends time-limiting all credentials as a baseline security control.
How It Works
An expiration timestamp is embedded in or associated with the token at creation. The validating system checks this timestamp on every request and rejects expired tokens. Short-lived tokens may be paired with refresh tokens for seamless renewal.
Best Practices
- Set expiration appropriate to the use case (minutes for sessions, days for CI/CD)
- Implement refresh tokens for long-running processes
- Alert when tokens are near expiration
- Never create tokens that don't expire
Common Mistakes
- Setting expiration to months or years "for convenience"
- Not implementing graceful renewal before expiration
- Confusing token expiration with token revocation
How ShieldKey Helps
ShieldKey supports token expiration on Shield Tokens. Set a TTL so contractor tokens automatically expire when the engagement ends — even if you forget to manually revoke them.
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Should API keys expire?
Yes. All credentials should have an expiration policy. ShieldKey Shield Tokens can be configured with expiration dates, and tokens not used within a defined period can be automatically disabled.