**To create an access key for an IAM user** The following ``create-access-key`` command creates an access key (access key ID and secret access key) for the IAM user named ``Bob``:: aws iam create-access-key --user-name Bob Output:: { "AccessKey": { "UserName": "Bob", "Status": "Active", "CreateDate": "2015-03-09T18:39:23.411Z", "SecretAccessKey": "wJalrXUtnFEMI/K7MDENG/bPxRfiCYzEXAMPLEKEY", "AccessKeyId": "AKIAIOSFODNN7EXAMPLE" } } Store the secret access key in a secure location. If it is lost, it cannot be recovered, and you must create a new access key. For more information, see `Managing Access Keys for IAM Users`_ in the *Using IAM* guide. .. _`Managing Access Keys for IAM Users`: http://docs.aws.amazon.com/IAM/latest/UserGuide/ManagingCredentials.html