The following detailed tutorial will walk you through how to create & use AWS access keys & secret keys. It will also explore how to use temporary access keys and secret keys with the help of AWS IAM role.
AWS access keys and secret keys are credentials used to authenticate and access AWS (Amazon Web Services) resources programmatically. These keys are essential for interacting with AWS services via APIs, CLI (Command Line Interface), SDKs (Software Development Kits), and other automation tools.
AWS Access Key: An AWS access key consists of an access key ID and a corresponding secret access key. The access key is a unique identifier associated with an AWS IAM (Identity and Access Management) user or an AWS service account. It is used to make API calls to AWS services to manage resources, upload data, or perform other actions on behalf of the associated user or service account. Access keys are often required when using AWS CLI, SDKs, and other development tools.
AWS Secret Key: The AWS secret key is a long, sensitive string that is paired with the access key ID. You can’t have a secret key without an access key & vice versa.
It is used to sign requests made by the associated access key ID, providing an extra layer of security. The secret key should be kept confidential and never shared or exposed in public repositories or insecure locations. AWS services use the secret key to validate the authenticity of the requests and ensure that they are coming from a trusted source.
It is crucial to handle AWS access keys and secret keys securely. Best practices include:
- Using IAM: Create IAM users or roles with the necessary permissions instead of sharing root account access keys. This allows you to control and audit access more effectively. Much better option is to use temporary access keys & secret keys.
- Regular Rotation: If you are using static access keys & secret keys, rotate your access keys periodically to minimize the potential impact of any compromised credentials.
- Least Privilege: Grant the minimum required permissions to access AWS resources for each user or application, reducing the risk of accidental exposure or misuse.
- Secure Storage: Keep access keys and secret keys secure and never expose them in publicly accessible code repositories or configuration files.
- MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication): Enable MFA for IAM users to add an extra layer of security to access keys.
- Monitor and Audit: Regularly monitor AWS activity and audit IAM access to identify any suspicious or unauthorized activities. By following these best practices, you can help ensure the security and integrity of your AWS resources and prevent unauthorized access to your AWS environmen
- Temporary Credentials: When possible, use AWS Security Token Service (STS) to obtain temporary credentials instead of permanent access keys, which are valid for a limited time and help reduce the exposure window. A detailed tutorial on Secure Token Service or STS is give here.