diff --git a/apis/externalsecrets/v1beta1/externalsecret_types.go b/apis/externalsecrets/v1beta1/externalsecret_types.go
index ab8ca907d..c305abda8 100644
--- a/apis/externalsecrets/v1beta1/externalsecret_types.go
+++ b/apis/externalsecrets/v1beta1/externalsecret_types.go
@@ -273,6 +273,7 @@ const (
 	ConditionReasonSecretDeleted = "SecretDeleted"
 
 	ReasonInvalidStoreRef      = "InvalidStoreRef"
+	ReasonUnavailableStore     = "UnavailableStore"
 	ReasonProviderClientConfig = "InvalidProviderClientConfig"
 	ReasonUpdateFailed         = "UpdateFailed"
 	ReasonUpdated              = "Updated"
diff --git a/apis/externalsecrets/v1beta1/provider.go b/apis/externalsecrets/v1beta1/provider.go
index 567712d5e..b1797caf8 100644
--- a/apis/externalsecrets/v1beta1/provider.go
+++ b/apis/externalsecrets/v1beta1/provider.go
@@ -20,6 +20,18 @@ import (
 	"sigs.k8s.io/controller-runtime/pkg/client"
 )
 
+const (
+	ValidationResultReady ValidationResult = iota
+	ValidationResultUnknown
+	ValidationResultError
+)
+
+type ValidationResult uint8
+
+func (v ValidationResult) String() string {
+	return [...]string{"Ready", "Unknown", "Error"}[v]
+}
+
 // +kubebuilder:object:root=false
 // +kubebuilder:object:generate:false
 // +k8s:deepcopy-gen:interfaces=nil
@@ -47,8 +59,9 @@ type SecretsClient interface {
 	GetSecret(ctx context.Context, ref ExternalSecretDataRemoteRef) ([]byte, error)
 
 	// Validate checks if the client is configured correctly
-	// and is able to retrieve secrets from the provider
-	Validate() error
+	// and is able to retrieve secrets from the provider.
+	// If the validation result is unknown it will be ignored.
+	Validate() (ValidationResult, error)
 
 	// GetSecretMap returns multiple k/v pairs from the provider
 	GetSecretMap(ctx context.Context, ref ExternalSecretDataRemoteRef) (map[string][]byte, error)
diff --git a/apis/externalsecrets/v1beta1/provider_schema_test.go b/apis/externalsecrets/v1beta1/provider_schema_test.go
index 4a90412cf..3c1f1c77a 100644
--- a/apis/externalsecrets/v1beta1/provider_schema_test.go
+++ b/apis/externalsecrets/v1beta1/provider_schema_test.go
@@ -50,8 +50,8 @@ func (p *PP) Close(ctx context.Context) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (p *PP) Validate() error {
-	return nil
+func (p *PP) Validate() (ValidationResult, error) {
+	return ValidationResultReady, nil
 }
 
 func (p *PP) ValidateStore(store GenericStore) error {
diff --git a/apis/externalsecrets/v1beta1/secretstore_types.go b/apis/externalsecrets/v1beta1/secretstore_types.go
index 6108f8b88..77c0b62aa 100644
--- a/apis/externalsecrets/v1beta1/secretstore_types.go
+++ b/apis/externalsecrets/v1beta1/secretstore_types.go
@@ -32,6 +32,10 @@ type SecretStoreSpec struct {
 	// Used to configure http retries if failed
 	// +optional
 	RetrySettings *SecretStoreRetrySettings `json:"retrySettings,omitempty"`
+
+	// Used to configure store refresh interval in seconds. Empty or 0 will default to the controller config.
+	// +optional
+	RefreshInterval int `json:"refreshInterval"`
 }
 
 // SecretStoreProvider contains the provider-specific configration.
diff --git a/cmd/root.go b/cmd/root.go
index ece73f416..fbbaede7b 100644
--- a/cmd/root.go
+++ b/cmd/root.go
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ var (
 	namespace                             string
 	enableClusterStoreReconciler          bool
 	enableClusterExternalSecretReconciler bool
+	enableFloodGate                       bool
 	storeRequeueInterval                  time.Duration
 	serviceName, serviceNamespace         string
 	secretName, secretNamespace           string
@@ -138,6 +139,7 @@ var rootCmd = &cobra.Command{
 			ControllerClass:           controllerClass,
 			RequeueInterval:           time.Hour,
 			ClusterSecretStoreEnabled: enableClusterStoreReconciler,
+			EnableFloodGate:           enableFloodGate,
 		}).SetupWithManager(mgr, controller.Options{
 			MaxConcurrentReconciles: concurrent,
 		}); err != nil {
@@ -181,5 +183,6 @@ func init() {
 	rootCmd.Flags().StringVar(&namespace, "namespace", "", "watch external secrets scoped in the provided namespace only. ClusterSecretStore can be used but only work if it doesn't reference resources from other namespaces")
 	rootCmd.Flags().BoolVar(&enableClusterStoreReconciler, "enable-cluster-store-reconciler", true, "Enable cluster store reconciler.")
 	rootCmd.Flags().BoolVar(&enableClusterExternalSecretReconciler, "enable-cluster-external-secret-reconciler", true, "Enable cluster external secret reconciler.")
-	rootCmd.Flags().DurationVar(&storeRequeueInterval, "store-requeue-interval", time.Minute*5, "Time duration between reconciling (Cluster)SecretStores")
+	rootCmd.Flags().DurationVar(&storeRequeueInterval, "store-requeue-interval", time.Minute*5, "Default Time duration between reconciling (Cluster)SecretStores")
+	rootCmd.Flags().BoolVar(&enableFloodGate, "enable-flood-gate", true, "Enable flood gate. External secret will be reconciled only if the ClusterStore or Store have an healthy or unknown state.")
 }
diff --git a/config/crds/bases/external-secrets.io_clustersecretstores.yaml b/config/crds/bases/external-secrets.io_clustersecretstores.yaml
index ad45abb64..16b297888 100644
--- a/config/crds/bases/external-secrets.io_clustersecretstores.yaml
+++ b/config/crds/bases/external-secrets.io_clustersecretstores.yaml
@@ -2704,6 +2704,10 @@ spec:
                     - auth
                     type: object
                 type: object
+              refreshInterval:
+                description: Used to configure store refresh interval in seconds.
+                  Empty or 0 will default to the controller config.
+                type: integer
               retrySettings:
                 description: Used to configure http retries if failed
                 properties:
diff --git a/config/crds/bases/external-secrets.io_secretstores.yaml b/config/crds/bases/external-secrets.io_secretstores.yaml
index f9ef87fbf..7cb8139ed 100644
--- a/config/crds/bases/external-secrets.io_secretstores.yaml
+++ b/config/crds/bases/external-secrets.io_secretstores.yaml
@@ -2707,6 +2707,10 @@ spec:
                     - auth
                     type: object
                 type: object
+              refreshInterval:
+                description: Used to configure store refresh interval in seconds.
+                  Empty or 0 will default to the controller config.
+                type: integer
               retrySettings:
                 description: Used to configure http retries if failed
                 properties:
diff --git a/deploy/crds/bundle.yaml b/deploy/crds/bundle.yaml
index 719c5a93e..617c9e65d 100644
--- a/deploy/crds/bundle.yaml
+++ b/deploy/crds/bundle.yaml
@@ -2316,6 +2316,9 @@ spec:
                         - auth
                       type: object
                   type: object
+                refreshInterval:
+                  description: Used to configure store refresh interval in seconds. Empty or 0 will default to the controller config.
+                  type: integer
                 retrySettings:
                   description: Used to configure http retries if failed
                   properties:
@@ -4870,6 +4873,9 @@ spec:
                         - auth
                       type: object
                   type: object
+                refreshInterval:
+                  description: Used to configure store refresh interval in seconds. Empty or 0 will default to the controller config.
+                  type: integer
                 retrySettings:
                   description: Used to configure http retries if failed
                   properties:
diff --git a/e2e/suite/akeyless/akeyless.go b/e2e/suite/akeyless/akeyless.go
index d10292e0e..232a8a0c2 100644
--- a/e2e/suite/akeyless/akeyless.go
+++ b/e2e/suite/akeyless/akeyless.go
@@ -18,8 +18,6 @@ import (
 
 	// nolint
 	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo/v2"
-	// nolint
-	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo/v2/extensions/table"
 
 	"github.com/external-secrets/external-secrets/e2e/framework"
 	"github.com/external-secrets/external-secrets/e2e/suite/common"
diff --git a/e2e/suite/alibaba/alibaba.go b/e2e/suite/alibaba/alibaba.go
index 7d1cba300..f56b5c496 100644
--- a/e2e/suite/alibaba/alibaba.go
+++ b/e2e/suite/alibaba/alibaba.go
@@ -18,8 +18,6 @@ import (
 
 	// nolint
 	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo/v2"
-	// nolint
-	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo/v2/extensions/table"
 
 	"github.com/external-secrets/external-secrets/e2e/framework"
 	"github.com/external-secrets/external-secrets/e2e/suite/common"
diff --git a/e2e/suite/gitlab/gitlab.go b/e2e/suite/gitlab/gitlab.go
index 712a5442f..dc65440ba 100644
--- a/e2e/suite/gitlab/gitlab.go
+++ b/e2e/suite/gitlab/gitlab.go
@@ -21,8 +21,6 @@ import (
 
 	// nolint
 	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo/v2"
-	// nolint
-	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo/v2/extensions/table"
 
 	"github.com/external-secrets/external-secrets/e2e/framework"
 	"github.com/external-secrets/external-secrets/e2e/suite/common"
diff --git a/e2e/suite/oracle/oracle.go b/e2e/suite/oracle/oracle.go
index 4fd54a22d..0e20e5f32 100644
--- a/e2e/suite/oracle/oracle.go
+++ b/e2e/suite/oracle/oracle.go
@@ -16,8 +16,6 @@ import (
 
 	// nolint
 	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo/v2"
-	// nolint
-	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo/v2/extensions/table"
 
 	"github.com/external-secrets/external-secrets/e2e/framework"
 	"github.com/external-secrets/external-secrets/e2e/suite/common"
diff --git a/pkg/controllers/externalsecret/externalsecret_controller.go b/pkg/controllers/externalsecret/externalsecret_controller.go
index 1f93e9b1c..ea07e4342 100644
--- a/pkg/controllers/externalsecret/externalsecret_controller.go
+++ b/pkg/controllers/externalsecret/externalsecret_controller.go
@@ -53,8 +53,10 @@ const (
 	errUpdateSecret          = "could not update Secret"
 	errPatchStatus           = "unable to patch status"
 	errGetSecretStore        = "could not get SecretStore %q, %w"
+	errSecretStoreNotReady   = "the desired SecretStore %s is not ready"
 	errGetClusterSecretStore = "could not get ClusterSecretStore %q, %w"
 	errStoreRef              = "could not get store reference"
+	errStoreUsability        = "could not use store reference"
 	errStoreProvider         = "could not get store provider"
 	errStoreClient           = "could not get provider client"
 	errGetExistingSecret     = "could not get existing secret: %w"
@@ -82,6 +84,7 @@ type Reconciler struct {
 	ControllerClass           string
 	RequeueInterval           time.Duration
 	ClusterSecretStoreEnabled bool
+	EnableFloodGate           bool
 	recorder                  record.EventRecorder
 }
 
@@ -133,7 +136,7 @@ func (r *Reconciler) Reconcile(ctx context.Context, req ctrl.Request) (ctrl.Resu
 		conditionSynced := NewExternalSecretCondition(esv1beta1.ExternalSecretReady, v1.ConditionFalse, esv1beta1.ConditionReasonSecretSyncedError, errStoreRef)
 		SetExternalSecretCondition(&externalSecret, *conditionSynced)
 		syncCallsError.With(syncCallsMetricLabels).Inc()
-		return ctrl.Result{RequeueAfter: requeueAfter}, nil
+		return ctrl.Result{}, err
 	}
 
 	log = log.WithValues("SecretStore", store.GetNamespacedName())
@@ -144,6 +147,17 @@ func (r *Reconciler) Reconcile(ctx context.Context, req ctrl.Request) (ctrl.Resu
 		return ctrl.Result{}, nil
 	}
 
+	if r.EnableFloodGate {
+		if err = assertStoreIsUsable(store); err != nil {
+			log.Error(err, errStoreUsability)
+			r.recorder.Event(&externalSecret, v1.EventTypeWarning, esv1beta1.ReasonUnavailableStore, err.Error())
+			conditionSynced := NewExternalSecretCondition(esv1beta1.ExternalSecretReady, v1.ConditionFalse, esv1beta1.ConditionReasonSecretSyncedError, errStoreUsability)
+			SetExternalSecretCondition(&externalSecret, *conditionSynced)
+			syncCallsError.With(syncCallsMetricLabels).Inc()
+			return ctrl.Result{}, err
+		}
+	}
+
 	storeProvider, err := esv1beta1.GetProvider(store)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Error(err, errStoreProvider)
@@ -158,7 +172,7 @@ func (r *Reconciler) Reconcile(ctx context.Context, req ctrl.Request) (ctrl.Resu
 		SetExternalSecretCondition(&externalSecret, *conditionSynced)
 		r.recorder.Event(&externalSecret, v1.EventTypeWarning, esv1beta1.ReasonProviderClientConfig, err.Error())
 		syncCallsError.With(syncCallsMetricLabels).Inc()
-		return ctrl.Result{RequeueAfter: requeueAfter}, nil
+		return ctrl.Result{}, err
 	}
 
 	defer func() {
@@ -467,7 +481,14 @@ func isSecretValid(existingSecret v1.Secret) bool {
 	return true
 }
 
-// getStore returns the store with the provided ExternalSecret.
+// assertStoreIsUsable assert that the store is ready to use.
+func assertStoreIsUsable(store esv1beta1.GenericStore) error {
+	if secretstore.GetSecretStoreCondition(store.GetStatus(), esv1beta1.SecretStoreReady).Status != v1.ConditionTrue {
+		return fmt.Errorf(errSecretStoreNotReady, store.GetName())
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (r *Reconciler) getStore(ctx context.Context, externalSecret *esv1beta1.ExternalSecret) (esv1beta1.GenericStore, error) {
 	ref := types.NamespacedName{
 		Name: externalSecret.Spec.SecretStoreRef.Name,
@@ -479,7 +500,6 @@ func (r *Reconciler) getStore(ctx context.Context, externalSecret *esv1beta1.Ext
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf(errGetClusterSecretStore, ref.Name, err)
 		}
-
 		return &store, nil
 	}
 
@@ -490,6 +510,7 @@ func (r *Reconciler) getStore(ctx context.Context, externalSecret *esv1beta1.Ext
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf(errGetSecretStore, ref.Name, err)
 	}
+
 	return &store, nil
 }
 
diff --git a/pkg/controllers/secretstore/common.go b/pkg/controllers/secretstore/common.go
index cfb5d86f7..c6714beea 100644
--- a/pkg/controllers/secretstore/common.go
+++ b/pkg/controllers/secretstore/common.go
@@ -46,6 +46,10 @@ func reconcile(ctx context.Context, req ctrl.Request, ss esapi.GenericStore, cl
 		return ctrl.Result{}, nil
 	}
 
+	if ss.GetSpec().RefreshInterval != 0 {
+		requeueInterval = time.Second * time.Duration(ss.GetSpec().RefreshInterval)
+	}
+
 	// patch status when done processing
 	p := client.MergeFrom(ss.Copy())
 	defer func() {
@@ -93,8 +97,8 @@ func validateStore(ctx context.Context, namespace string, store esapi.GenericSto
 	}
 	defer cl.Close(ctx)
 
-	err = cl.Validate()
-	if err != nil {
+	validationResult, err := cl.Validate()
+	if err != nil && validationResult != esapi.ValidationResultUnknown {
 		cond := NewSecretStoreCondition(esapi.SecretStoreReady, v1.ConditionFalse, esapi.ReasonValidationFailed, errUnableValidateStore)
 		SetExternalSecretCondition(store, *cond)
 		recorder.Event(store, v1.EventTypeWarning, esapi.ReasonValidationFailed, err.Error())
diff --git a/pkg/provider/akeyless/akeyless.go b/pkg/provider/akeyless/akeyless.go
index abd385785..883bedfa6 100644
--- a/pkg/provider/akeyless/akeyless.go
+++ b/pkg/provider/akeyless/akeyless.go
@@ -111,11 +111,15 @@ func (a *Akeyless) Close(ctx context.Context) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (a *Akeyless) Validate() error {
+func (a *Akeyless) Validate() (esv1beta1.ValidationResult, error) {
 	timeout := 15 * time.Second
 	url := a.url
 
-	return utils.NetworkValidate(url, timeout)
+	if err := utils.NetworkValidate(url, timeout); err != nil {
+		return esv1beta1.ValidationResultError, err
+	}
+
+	return esv1beta1.ValidationResultReady, nil
 }
 
 // Implements store.Client.GetSecret Interface.
diff --git a/pkg/provider/alibaba/kms.go b/pkg/provider/alibaba/kms.go
index 0333588b0..7358f493d 100644
--- a/pkg/provider/alibaba/kms.go
+++ b/pkg/provider/alibaba/kms.go
@@ -197,11 +197,14 @@ func (kms *KeyManagementService) Close(ctx context.Context) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (kms *KeyManagementService) Validate() error {
+func (kms *KeyManagementService) Validate() (esv1beta1.ValidationResult, error) {
 	timeout := 15 * time.Second
 	url := kms.url
 
-	return utils.NetworkValidate(url, timeout)
+	if err := utils.NetworkValidate(url, timeout); err != nil {
+		return esv1beta1.ValidationResultError, err
+	}
+	return esv1beta1.ValidationResultReady, nil
 }
 
 func (kms *KeyManagementService) ValidateStore(store esv1beta1.GenericStore) error {
diff --git a/pkg/provider/aws/parameterstore/parameterstore.go b/pkg/provider/aws/parameterstore/parameterstore.go
index 208e8e4e6..102c83384 100644
--- a/pkg/provider/aws/parameterstore/parameterstore.go
+++ b/pkg/provider/aws/parameterstore/parameterstore.go
@@ -225,7 +225,10 @@ func (pm *ParameterStore) Close(ctx context.Context) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (pm *ParameterStore) Validate() error {
+func (pm *ParameterStore) Validate() (esv1beta1.ValidationResult, error) {
 	_, err := pm.sess.Config.Credentials.Get()
-	return err
+	if err != nil {
+		return esv1beta1.ValidationResultError, err
+	}
+	return esv1beta1.ValidationResultReady, nil
 }
diff --git a/pkg/provider/aws/secretsmanager/secretsmanager.go b/pkg/provider/aws/secretsmanager/secretsmanager.go
index c3f0b9ba3..cbb37c44c 100644
--- a/pkg/provider/aws/secretsmanager/secretsmanager.go
+++ b/pkg/provider/aws/secretsmanager/secretsmanager.go
@@ -287,7 +287,10 @@ func (sm *SecretsManager) Close(ctx context.Context) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (sm *SecretsManager) Validate() error {
+func (sm *SecretsManager) Validate() (esv1beta1.ValidationResult, error) {
 	_, err := sm.sess.Config.Credentials.Get()
-	return err
+	if err != nil {
+		return esv1beta1.ValidationResultError, err
+	}
+	return esv1beta1.ValidationResultReady, nil
 }
diff --git a/pkg/provider/azure/keyvault/keyvault.go b/pkg/provider/azure/keyvault/keyvault.go
index 5b39bdb6d..3a1a64687 100644
--- a/pkg/provider/azure/keyvault/keyvault.go
+++ b/pkg/provider/azure/keyvault/keyvault.go
@@ -480,8 +480,8 @@ func (a *Azure) Close(ctx context.Context) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (a *Azure) Validate() error {
-	return nil
+func (a *Azure) Validate() (esv1beta1.ValidationResult, error) {
+	return esv1beta1.ValidationResultReady, nil
 }
 
 func getObjType(ref esv1beta1.ExternalSecretDataRemoteRef) (string, string) {
diff --git a/pkg/provider/fake/fake.go b/pkg/provider/fake/fake.go
index a290329aa..8d68c9aed 100644
--- a/pkg/provider/fake/fake.go
+++ b/pkg/provider/fake/fake.go
@@ -94,8 +94,8 @@ func (p *Provider) Close(ctx context.Context) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (p *Provider) Validate() error {
-	return nil
+func (p *Provider) Validate() (esv1beta1.ValidationResult, error) {
+	return esv1beta1.ValidationResultReady, nil
 }
 
 func (p *Provider) ValidateStore(store esv1beta1.GenericStore) error {
diff --git a/pkg/provider/gcp/secretmanager/secretsmanager.go b/pkg/provider/gcp/secretmanager/secretsmanager.go
index 62908a2f3..697bf35ff 100644
--- a/pkg/provider/gcp/secretmanager/secretsmanager.go
+++ b/pkg/provider/gcp/secretmanager/secretsmanager.go
@@ -423,8 +423,8 @@ func (sm *ProviderGCP) Close(ctx context.Context) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (sm *ProviderGCP) Validate() error {
-	return nil
+func (sm *ProviderGCP) Validate() (esv1beta1.ValidationResult, error) {
+	return esv1beta1.ValidationResultReady, nil
 }
 
 func (sm *ProviderGCP) ValidateStore(store esv1beta1.GenericStore) error {
diff --git a/pkg/provider/gitlab/gitlab.go b/pkg/provider/gitlab/gitlab.go
index bd86ca0a7..ca91529da 100644
--- a/pkg/provider/gitlab/gitlab.go
+++ b/pkg/provider/gitlab/gitlab.go
@@ -226,14 +226,14 @@ func (g *Gitlab) Close(ctx context.Context) error {
 }
 
 // Validate will use the gitlab client to validate the gitlab provider using the ListVariable call to ensure get permissions without needing a specific key.
-func (g *Gitlab) Validate() error {
+func (g *Gitlab) Validate() (esv1beta1.ValidationResult, error) {
 	_, resp, err := g.client.ListVariables(g.projectID, nil)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf(errList, err)
+		return esv1beta1.ValidationResultError, fmt.Errorf(errList, err)
 	} else if resp == nil || resp.StatusCode != http.StatusOK {
-		return fmt.Errorf(errAuth)
+		return esv1beta1.ValidationResultError, fmt.Errorf(errAuth)
 	}
-	return nil
+	return esv1beta1.ValidationResultReady, nil
 }
 
 func (g *Gitlab) ValidateStore(store esv1beta1.GenericStore) error {
diff --git a/pkg/provider/gitlab/gitlab_test.go b/pkg/provider/gitlab/gitlab_test.go
index cdb3bf5f1..aa2c27c4c 100644
--- a/pkg/provider/gitlab/gitlab_test.go
+++ b/pkg/provider/gitlab/gitlab_test.go
@@ -28,33 +28,35 @@ import (
 )
 
 type secretManagerTestCase struct {
-	mockClient        *fakegitlab.GitlabMockClient
-	apiInputProjectID string
-	apiInputKey       string
-	apiOutput         *gitlab.ProjectVariable
-	apiResponse       *gitlab.Response
-	ref               *esv1beta1.ExternalSecretDataRemoteRef
-	projectID         *string
-	apiErr            error
-	expectError       string
-	expectedSecret    string
+	mockClient               *fakegitlab.GitlabMockClient
+	apiInputProjectID        string
+	apiInputKey              string
+	apiOutput                *gitlab.ProjectVariable
+	apiResponse              *gitlab.Response
+	ref                      *esv1beta1.ExternalSecretDataRemoteRef
+	projectID                *string
+	apiErr                   error
+	expectError              string
+	expectedSecret           string
+	expectedValidationResult esv1beta1.ValidationResult
 	// for testing secretmap
 	expectedData map[string][]byte
 }
 
 func makeValidSecretManagerTestCase() *secretManagerTestCase {
 	smtc := secretManagerTestCase{
-		mockClient:        &fakegitlab.GitlabMockClient{},
-		apiInputProjectID: makeValidAPIInputProjectID(),
-		apiInputKey:       makeValidAPIInputKey(),
-		ref:               makeValidRef(),
-		projectID:         nil,
-		apiOutput:         makeValidAPIOutput(),
-		apiResponse:       makeValidAPIResponse(),
-		apiErr:            nil,
-		expectError:       "",
-		expectedSecret:    "",
-		expectedData:      map[string][]byte{},
+		mockClient:               &fakegitlab.GitlabMockClient{},
+		apiInputProjectID:        makeValidAPIInputProjectID(),
+		apiInputKey:              makeValidAPIInputKey(),
+		ref:                      makeValidRef(),
+		projectID:                nil,
+		apiOutput:                makeValidAPIOutput(),
+		apiResponse:              makeValidAPIResponse(),
+		apiErr:                   nil,
+		expectError:              "",
+		expectedSecret:           "",
+		expectedValidationResult: esv1beta1.ValidationResultReady,
+		expectedData:             map[string][]byte{},
 	}
 	smtc.mockClient.WithValue(smtc.apiInputProjectID, smtc.apiInputKey, smtc.apiOutput, smtc.apiResponse, smtc.apiErr)
 	return &smtc
@@ -104,22 +106,26 @@ func makeValidSecretManagerTestCaseCustom(tweaks ...func(smtc *secretManagerTest
 var setAPIErr = func(smtc *secretManagerTestCase) {
 	smtc.apiErr = fmt.Errorf("oh no")
 	smtc.expectError = "oh no"
+	smtc.expectedValidationResult = esv1beta1.ValidationResultError
 }
 
 var setListAPIErr = func(smtc *secretManagerTestCase) {
 	err := fmt.Errorf("oh no")
 	smtc.apiErr = err
 	smtc.expectError = fmt.Errorf(errList, err).Error()
+	smtc.expectedValidationResult = esv1beta1.ValidationResultError
 }
 
 var setListAPIRespNil = func(smtc *secretManagerTestCase) {
 	smtc.apiResponse = nil
 	smtc.expectError = errAuth
+	smtc.expectedValidationResult = esv1beta1.ValidationResultError
 }
 
 var setListAPIRespBadCode = func(smtc *secretManagerTestCase) {
 	smtc.apiResponse.StatusCode = http.StatusUnauthorized
 	smtc.expectError = errAuth
+	smtc.expectedValidationResult = esv1beta1.ValidationResultError
 }
 
 var setNilMockClient = func(smtc *secretManagerTestCase) {
@@ -172,10 +178,13 @@ func TestValidate(t *testing.T) {
 	for k, v := range successCases {
 		sm.client = v.mockClient
 		t.Logf("%+v", v)
-		err := sm.Validate()
+		validationResult, err := sm.Validate()
 		if !ErrorContains(err, v.expectError) {
 			t.Errorf("[%d], unexpected error: %s, expected: '%s'", k, err.Error(), v.expectError)
 		}
+		if validationResult != v.expectedValidationResult {
+			t.Errorf("[%d], unexpected validationResult: %s, expected: '%s'", k, validationResult, v.expectedValidationResult)
+		}
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/pkg/provider/ibm/provider.go b/pkg/provider/ibm/provider.go
index 28ea3ee5b..e24dfdba3 100644
--- a/pkg/provider/ibm/provider.go
+++ b/pkg/provider/ibm/provider.go
@@ -496,8 +496,8 @@ func (ibm *providerIBM) Close(ctx context.Context) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (ibm *providerIBM) Validate() error {
-	return nil
+func (ibm *providerIBM) Validate() (esv1beta1.ValidationResult, error) {
+	return esv1beta1.ValidationResultReady, nil
 }
 
 func (ibm *providerIBM) ValidateStore(store esv1beta1.GenericStore) error {
diff --git a/pkg/provider/kubernetes/kubernetes.go b/pkg/provider/kubernetes/kubernetes.go
index c9cdaa68c..6a520f608 100644
--- a/pkg/provider/kubernetes/kubernetes.go
+++ b/pkg/provider/kubernetes/kubernetes.go
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ func (k *BaseClient) fetchSecretKey(ctx context.Context, key esmeta.SecretKeySel
 	return val, nil
 }
 
-func (k *ProviderKubernetes) Validate() error {
+func (k *ProviderKubernetes) Validate() (esv1beta1.ValidationResult, error) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 
 	authReview, err := k.ReviewClient.Create(ctx, &authv1.SelfSubjectAccessReview{
@@ -255,14 +255,14 @@ func (k *ProviderKubernetes) Validate() error {
 	}, metav1.CreateOptions{})
 
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("could not verify if client is valid: %w", err)
+		return esv1beta1.ValidationResultUnknown, fmt.Errorf("could not verify if client is valid: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	if !authReview.Status.Allowed {
-		return fmt.Errorf("client is not allowed to get secrets")
+		return esv1beta1.ValidationResultError, fmt.Errorf("client is not allowed to get secrets")
 	}
 
-	return nil
+	return esv1beta1.ValidationResultReady, nil
 }
 
 func (k *ProviderKubernetes) ValidateStore(store esv1beta1.GenericStore) error {
diff --git a/pkg/provider/kubernetes/kubernetes_test.go b/pkg/provider/kubernetes/kubernetes_test.go
index 89534d75b..57cb44e17 100644
--- a/pkg/provider/kubernetes/kubernetes_test.go
+++ b/pkg/provider/kubernetes/kubernetes_test.go
@@ -373,10 +373,14 @@ func TestValidate(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	fakeClient := fakeReviewClient{authReview: &authReview}
 	k := ProviderKubernetes{ReviewClient: fakeClient}
-	err := k.Validate()
+	validationResult, err := k.Validate()
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Errorf("Test Failed! %v", err)
 	}
+	if validationResult != esv1beta1.ValidationResultReady {
+		t.Errorf("Test Failed! Wanted could not indicate validationResult is %s, got: %s", esv1beta1.ValidationResultReady, validationResult)
+	}
+
 	authReview = authv1.SelfSubjectAccessReview{
 		Status: authv1.SubjectAccessReviewStatus{
 			Allowed: false,
@@ -384,15 +388,21 @@ func TestValidate(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	fakeClient = fakeReviewClient{authReview: &authReview}
 	k = ProviderKubernetes{ReviewClient: fakeClient}
-	err = k.Validate()
+	validationResult, err = k.Validate()
 	if err.Error() != "client is not allowed to get secrets" {
 		t.Errorf("Test Failed! Wanted client is not allowed to get secrets got: %v", err)
 	}
+	if validationResult != esv1beta1.ValidationResultError {
+		t.Errorf("Test Failed! Wanted could not indicate validationResult is %s, got: %s", esv1beta1.ValidationResultError, validationResult)
+	}
 
 	fakeClient = fakeReviewClient{}
 	k = ProviderKubernetes{ReviewClient: fakeClient}
-	err = k.Validate()
+	validationResult, err = k.Validate()
 	if err.Error() != "could not verify if client is valid: Something went wrong" {
 		t.Errorf("Test Failed! Wanted could not verify if client is valid: Something went wrong got: %v", err)
 	}
+	if validationResult != esv1beta1.ValidationResultUnknown {
+		t.Errorf("Test Failed! Wanted could not indicate validationResult is %s, got: %s", esv1beta1.ValidationResultUnknown, validationResult)
+	}
 }
diff --git a/pkg/provider/oracle/oracle.go b/pkg/provider/oracle/oracle.go
index 122cea5ab..a0fd4a757 100644
--- a/pkg/provider/oracle/oracle.go
+++ b/pkg/provider/oracle/oracle.go
@@ -223,8 +223,8 @@ func (vms *VaultManagementService) Close(ctx context.Context) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (vms *VaultManagementService) Validate() error {
-	return nil
+func (vms *VaultManagementService) Validate() (esv1beta1.ValidationResult, error) {
+	return esv1beta1.ValidationResultReady, nil
 }
 
 func (vms *VaultManagementService) ValidateStore(store esv1beta1.GenericStore) error {
diff --git a/pkg/provider/testing/fake/fake.go b/pkg/provider/testing/fake/fake.go
index 7c6f9f634..df11397b4 100644
--- a/pkg/provider/testing/fake/fake.go
+++ b/pkg/provider/testing/fake/fake.go
@@ -26,8 +26,7 @@ var _ esv1beta1.Provider = &Client{}
 
 // Client is a fake client for testing.
 type Client struct {
-	NewFn func(context.Context, esv1beta1.GenericStore, client.Client,
-		string) (esv1beta1.SecretsClient, error)
+	NewFn           func(context.Context, esv1beta1.GenericStore, client.Client, string) (esv1beta1.SecretsClient, error)
 	GetSecretFn     func(context.Context, esv1beta1.ExternalSecretDataRemoteRef) ([]byte, error)
 	GetSecretMapFn  func(context.Context, esv1beta1.ExternalSecretDataRemoteRef) (map[string][]byte, error)
 	GetAllSecretsFn func(context.Context, esv1beta1.ExternalSecretFind) (map[string][]byte, error)
@@ -59,7 +58,7 @@ func (v *Client) RegisterAs(provider *esv1beta1.SecretStoreProvider) {
 	esv1beta1.ForceRegister(v, provider)
 }
 
-// GetSecret implements the provider.Provider interface.
+// GetAllSecrets implements the provider.Provider interface.
 func (v *Client) GetAllSecrets(ctx context.Context, ref esv1beta1.ExternalSecretFind) (map[string][]byte, error) {
 	return v.GetAllSecretsFn(ctx, ref)
 }
@@ -77,7 +76,7 @@ func (v *Client) WithGetSecret(secData []byte, err error) *Client {
 	return v
 }
 
-// GetSecretMap imeplements the provider.Provider interface.
+// GetSecretMap implements the provider.Provider interface.
 func (v *Client) GetSecretMap(ctx context.Context, ref esv1beta1.ExternalSecretDataRemoteRef) (map[string][]byte, error) {
 	return v.GetSecretMapFn(ctx, ref)
 }
@@ -86,8 +85,8 @@ func (v *Client) Close(ctx context.Context) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (v *Client) Validate() error {
-	return nil
+func (v *Client) Validate() (esv1beta1.ValidationResult, error) {
+	return esv1beta1.ValidationResultReady, nil
 }
 
 func (v *Client) ValidateStore(store esv1beta1.GenericStore) error {
diff --git a/pkg/provider/vault/vault.go b/pkg/provider/vault/vault.go
index 57312f2d5..eb1d6684a 100644
--- a/pkg/provider/vault/vault.go
+++ b/pkg/provider/vault/vault.go
@@ -576,12 +576,12 @@ func (v *client) Close(ctx context.Context) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (v *client) Validate() error {
+func (v *client) Validate() (esv1beta1.ValidationResult, error) {
 	_, err := checkToken(context.Background(), v)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf(errInvalidCredentials, err)
+		return esv1beta1.ValidationResultError, fmt.Errorf(errInvalidCredentials, err)
 	}
-	return nil
+	return esv1beta1.ValidationResultReady, nil
 }
 
 func (v *client) buildMetadataPath(path string) (string, error) {
diff --git a/pkg/provider/webhook/webhook.go b/pkg/provider/webhook/webhook.go
index 2fa3a9b56..dc19f704c 100644
--- a/pkg/provider/webhook/webhook.go
+++ b/pkg/provider/webhook/webhook.go
@@ -394,11 +394,14 @@ func (w *WebHook) Close(ctx context.Context) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (w *WebHook) Validate() error {
+func (w *WebHook) Validate() (esv1beta1.ValidationResult, error) {
 	timeout := 15 * time.Second
 	url := w.url
 
-	return utils.NetworkValidate(url, timeout)
+	if err := utils.NetworkValidate(url, timeout); err != nil {
+		return esv1beta1.ValidationResultError, err
+	}
+	return esv1beta1.ValidationResultReady, nil
 }
 
 func executeTemplateString(tmpl string, data map[string]map[string]string) (string, error) {
diff --git a/pkg/provider/yandex/lockbox/lockbox.go b/pkg/provider/yandex/lockbox/lockbox.go
index fdfc3a5e0..3c32332f6 100644
--- a/pkg/provider/yandex/lockbox/lockbox.go
+++ b/pkg/provider/yandex/lockbox/lockbox.go
@@ -288,8 +288,8 @@ func (c *lockboxSecretsClient) Close(ctx context.Context) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (c *lockboxSecretsClient) Validate() error {
-	return nil
+func (c *lockboxSecretsClient) Validate() (esv1beta1.ValidationResult, error) {
+	return esv1beta1.ValidationResultReady, nil
 }
 
 func getValueAsIs(entry *lockbox.Payload_Entry) (interface{}, error) {