Automating AWS IAM Access Keys Rotation Using a PowerShell Script
A technical look at using PowerShell and AWS CLI to automate IAM access keys management while highlighting important production safety practices.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- This article documents a legacy approach preserved for historical education.
- Automation helps prevent token expired exceptions during local development.
- The script checks existing keys to delete the oldest when two keys exist.
- Prerequisites include installing AWS CLI and configuring proper permissions.
Managing cloud security credentials is a critical routine for developers, especially when handling AWS IAM Access Keys that require periodic rotation. Performing this routine manually through the management console is tedious and time-consuming, prompting developers to seek automated script-based solutions.
The original publication introduces a PowerShell script designed to streamline the creation of new access keys and automatically update the local .aws/credentials file. This was motivated by an environment where keys were set to expire in 12 hours, constantly triggering token expired exceptions while developing locally.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The logic embedded within the automation script follows a clear set of operational rules:
- Fetch all existing access keys associated with the specified IAM user via AWS CLI.
- If exactly two keys exist, sort them by creation date to isolate the oldest one.
- Delete the oldest access key using the AWS IAM CLI command.
- Generate a brand new access key and write its credentials directly into the local .aws/credentials file under the default profile.
Credential rotation is an essential security best practice, but developers must approach legacy scripts with caution. The original author and AWS note that this script demonstrates an older approach, and blindly running it in a production environment carries risks—such as deleting active keys before validating replacements or overwriting existing credential profiles. Modern best practices recommend a safer workflow: create the new key, test it thoroughly, deactivate the old key, verify zero dependency, and only then proceed to deletion.
To successfully execute this PowerShell automation, ensure your environment meets these preconditions:
- The AWS CLI tool is properly installed on your machine.
- An active AWS IAM user has already been created.
- The IAM user possesses sufficient permissions to list, create, deactivate, and delete keys.
Source: Dev.to
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