Description: Jenkins credentials are a fundamental feature that allows for the secure storage and management of the credentials necessary for authentication and authorization in various continuous integration and delivery tasks. These credentials can include passwords, SSH keys, API tokens, and other sensitive data that are essential for interacting with external systems, such as code repositories, deployment servers, and cloud services. Jenkins, as an automation tool, requires access to multiple resources, and proper management of these credentials is crucial for maintaining the security and integrity of the development process. The Jenkins interface provides secure storage for these credentials, which can be referenced in build and deployment pipelines, avoiding the direct exposure of sensitive information in scripts. Additionally, Jenkins allows integration with secret management systems, further enhancing security by centralizing credential management. This functionality not only simplifies project configuration but also helps adhere to best security practices in software development, ensuring that credentials are not stored in source code or unnecessarily exposed.