diff --git a/.drone.yml b/.drone.yml
index 3fb8f1a..03b9882 100644
--- a/.drone.yml
+++ b/.drone.yml
@@ -29,7 +29,10 @@ steps:
   - name: dependency-check
     image: maven:3-eclipse-temurin-21
     commands:
-      - mvn dependency-check:check --no-transfer-progress -B -V
+      - mvn dependency-check:check --no-transfer-progress -B -V -DnvdApiKey=$NVD_API_KEY
+    environment:
+      NVD_API_KEY:
+        from_secret: nvd_api_key
 
   # run code analysis
   - name: code-analysis
diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index 23bdeed..bb2e81c 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -147,6 +147,7 @@
                 <version>12.1.0</version>
                 <configuration>
                     <failBuildOnCVSS>8</failBuildOnCVSS>
+                    <nvdApiKey>${nvdApiKey}</nvdApiKey>
                     <formats>
                         <format>html</format>
                         <format>json</format>