Access keys are credentials used by people, applications, or services to authenticate to cloud platforms and other systems. Depending on their permissions, a valid key may allow actions such as reading data, managing resources, or connecting to services. Keys are often used by software and therefore may not require an interactive login.
In an attack, a stolen or exposed key can let an intruder use the access it grants, potentially to inspect cloud resources or move through connected systems. Keys found in leaked files or configuration data should be treated as potentially compromised until verified. Defenders should identify the key’s owner and permissions, revoke or rotate it when appropriate, review activity for misuse, and limit key privileges and lifetime.