Access keys and secret keys are fundamental security credentials in AWS that enable programmatic access to AWS services and resources. These credentials work together as a pair to authenticate API requests made to AWS.
An Access Key ID is a unique identifier consisting of 20 alphanumeric character…Access keys and secret keys are fundamental security credentials in AWS that enable programmatic access to AWS services and resources. These credentials work together as a pair to authenticate API requests made to AWS.
An Access Key ID is a unique identifier consisting of 20 alphanumeric characters. It serves as your public identifier and is used to identify the user or application making the request to AWS. Think of it similar to a username - it tells AWS who is attempting to access the services.
The Secret Access Key is a 40-character string that acts as your private credential. This key must be kept confidential and secure, as it functions like a password. When combined with the Access Key ID, it cryptographically signs requests to prove the authenticity of the requester.
When you make an API call to AWS, both keys work together through a signing process. The request is signed using your secret key, and AWS uses your access key to look up your secret key and verify the signature. This ensures request integrity and authentication.
Best practices for managing these credentials include:
1. Never embed access keys in code or share them publicly
2. Rotate keys regularly to minimize security risks
3. Use IAM roles for EC2 instances and Lambda functions instead of hardcoded keys
4. Apply the principle of least privilege when assigning permissions
5. Enable MFA for additional security layers
6. Store keys securely using AWS Secrets Manager or environment variables
7. Monitor key usage through AWS CloudTrail
You can create up to two access key pairs per IAM user, allowing for seamless key rotation. If a key is compromised, you should deactivate and delete it promptly.
For the Developer Associate exam, understanding how to properly manage, rotate, and secure these credentials is essential, as improper handling of access keys is a common security vulnerability in AWS deployments.
Access Keys and Secret Keys - AWS Developer Associate Guide
What Are Access Keys and Secret Keys?
Access keys are long-term credentials used for programmatic access to AWS services. They consist of two parts:
1. Access Key ID - A unique identifier (example: AKIAIOSFODNN7EXAMPLE) 2. Secret Access Key - A secret key used to sign requests (example: wJalrXUtnFEMI/K7MDENG/bPxRfiCYEXAMPLEKEY)
Together, these credentials authenticate API calls made to AWS through the AWS CLI, SDKs, or direct API requests.
Why Are Access Keys Important?
Access keys are critical for: - Automation: Scripts and applications need programmatic access to AWS resources - CLI Operations: The AWS Command Line Interface requires access keys for authentication - SDK Integration: AWS SDKs use access keys to make authenticated requests - CI/CD Pipelines: Build and deployment tools need credentials to interact with AWS
How Access Keys Work
1. Generation: Access keys are created through IAM for specific users 2. Storage: The secret access key is shown only once at creation time - you must save it securely 3. Authentication: When making API calls, the access key ID identifies the caller, while the secret access key is used to create a cryptographic signature 4. Verification: AWS validates the signature to authenticate the request
Best Practices for Access Keys
- Never embed access keys in code - Use environment variables, IAM roles, or AWS Secrets Manager - Rotate keys regularly - Create new keys and delete old ones periodically - Use IAM roles for EC2 - Prefer instance profiles over access keys for EC2 instances - Enable MFA Delete - Add extra protection for sensitive operations - Apply least privilege - Grant only necessary permissions to the IAM user - Never share access keys - Each user should have their own credentials - Delete unused keys - Remove access keys that are no longer needed
Access Key States
- Active: The key can be used for authentication - Inactive: The key exists but cannot be used until reactivated
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Access Keys and Secret Keys
Key Concepts to Remember:
1. Secret keys are shown only once - If lost, you must create a new access key pair
2. Maximum two access keys per user - This allows for key rotation while maintaining continuous access
3. IAM roles are preferred over access keys - For EC2 instances and Lambda functions, always choose IAM roles when given the option
4. Root account access keys - Best practice is to delete root account access keys and use IAM users instead
5. Credential precedence - Know the order: command line options > environment variables > credentials file > instance profile
Common Exam Scenarios:
- If asked about securing credentials in code, the answer involves using IAM roles, environment variables, or AWS Secrets Manager - Questions about EC2 accessing S3 should point to IAM roles attached to instances, not access keys - When asked about key rotation, remember you can have two active keys to enable seamless rotation - If credentials are compromised, deactivate or delete the access keys and create new ones
Watch Out For:
- Answer choices suggesting hardcoding credentials in application code - these are incorrect - Solutions recommending sharing access keys between team members - this violates best practices - Options suggesting storing secret keys in version control - never do this