Access Keys are required to connect to AWS through the AWS Command Line Interface (CLI) and the AWS Software Developer Kit (SDK).    Access Keys are generated through the AWS Management Console and each user manages there own individual access keys.    Access keys are just like a password and should never be shared between users.  In this instructions we will create Access Keys for an IAM user outside of root.

1.  Logon to AWS as the root user at URL:  https://signin.aws.amazon.com/

2.  In the search bar type IAM and open the IAM console.

3.  Select user from the left hand side menu bar.

4.  Select the My security credentials.

5.  Go to Access keys and select Create access key

6.  Select Command Line Interface (CLI), check mark the confirmation and select Next.

7.  Enter a description tag and select Create access key.

8.  Access key will be generated, download it as a csv and press done.

9.  Now you have access key to enter your AWS environment via the CLI.