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🛡️ AWS IAM Access Key is unused🟢

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Description​

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Description​

Identify and remove unused IAM access keys to protect AWS resources from unauthorized access. An IAM user access key pair is considered unused if it has not been used for a specified period, in this case, 90 days.

Rationale​

IAM access keys provide programmatic access to AWS resources. Retaining active keys that are no longer in use increases the risk that lost or compromised credentials could be exploited. By evaluating access keys directly (rather than IAM users), security teams can precisely identify which credentials require revocation.

Audit​

This policy flags an AWS IAM Access Key as INCOMPLIANT if the Last Used Date field is empty or the date is more than 90 days ago.

Inactive Access Keys are marked as INAPPLICABLE.

Remediation​

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Remediation​

Decommission Unused IAM Access Keys​

Deactivate any unnecessary or unused IAM access keys to reduce the risk of unauthorized access.

From Command Line​

Run the update-access-key command to deactivate an unused or non-operational IAM access key:

aws iam update-access-key \
    --access-key-id {{access-key-id}} \
    --status Inactive

After deactivation, verify that the key is no longer required by any applications or services. Once confirmed, consider deleting the access key to permanently remove it:

aws iam delete-access-key \
    --access-key-id {{access-key-id}}

policy.yaml​

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Linked Framework Sections​

SectionSub SectionsInternal RulesPoliciesFlagsCompliance
💼 AWS Foundational Security Best Practices v1.0.0 → 💼 [IAM.8] Unused IAM user credentials should be removed2no data
💼 Cloudaware Framework → 💼 Credential Lifecycle Management36no data
💼 FedRAMP High Security Controls → 💼 AC-2 Account Management (L)(M)(H)10963no data
💼 FedRAMP High Security Controls → 💼 AC-2(1) Automated System Account Management (M)(H)32no data
💼 FedRAMP High Security Controls → 💼 AC-2(3) Disable Accounts (M)(H)9no data
💼 FedRAMP High Security Controls → 💼 AC-3 Access Enforcement (L)(M)(H)49103no data
💼 FedRAMP High Security Controls → 💼 AC-6 Least Privilege (M)(H)81287no data
💼 FedRAMP Low Security Controls → 💼 AC-2 Account Management (L)(M)(H)9no data
💼 FedRAMP Low Security Controls → 💼 AC-3 Access Enforcement (L)(M)(H)103no data
💼 FedRAMP Moderate Security Controls → 💼 AC-2 Account Management (L)(M)(H)963no data
💼 FedRAMP Moderate Security Controls → 💼 AC-2(1) Automated System Account Management (M)(H)32no data
💼 FedRAMP Moderate Security Controls → 💼 AC-2(3) Disable Accounts (M)(H)9no data
💼 FedRAMP Moderate Security Controls → 💼 AC-3 Access Enforcement (L)(M)(H)103no data
💼 FedRAMP Moderate Security Controls → 💼 AC-6 Least Privilege (M)(H)687no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 DE.CM-01: Networks and network services are monitored to find potentially adverse events187no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 DE.CM-03: Personnel activity and technology usage are monitored to find potentially adverse events107no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.AA-01: Identities and credentials for authorized users, services, and hardware are managed by the organization50no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.AA-05: Access permissions, entitlements, and authorizations are defined in a policy, managed, enforced, and reviewed, and incorporate the principles of least privilege and separation of duties199no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.DS-10: The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data-in-use are protected249no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.IR-01: Networks and environments are protected from unauthorized logical access and usage165no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 → 💼 AC-2 Account Management132461no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 → 💼 AC-2(1) Account Management _ Automated System Account Management432no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 → 💼 AC-2(3) Account Management _ Disable Accounts49no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 → 💼 AC-3 Access Enforcement15866no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 → 💼 AC-3(7) Access Enforcement _ Role-based Access Control36no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 → 💼 AC-3(15) Access Enforcement _ Discretionary and Mandatory Access Control27no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 → 💼 AC-6 Least Privilege102580no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 8.1.4 Remove/disable inactive user accounts within 90 days.2no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 8.2.6 Inactive user accounts are removed or disabled within 90 days of inactivity.2no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 8.2.6 Inactive user accounts are removed or disabled within 90 days of inactivity.2no data