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A company is using AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM). Who can manage the access keys of the AWS account root user?
A
IAM users in the same account that have been granted permission
B
IAM roles in any account that have been granted permission
C
IAM users and roles that have been granted permission
D
The AWS account owner
Explanation:
The correct answer is The AWS account owner because:
Root user access keys are highly sensitive - They provide full administrative access to the AWS account, including the ability to delete the account itself.
Security best practices - AWS recommends that only the account owner should manage root user credentials. This follows the principle of least privilege and reduces security risks.
IAM limitations - While IAM users and roles can be granted extensive permissions, managing root user access keys is typically restricted to the account owner for security reasons.
Account ownership - The AWS account owner is the person who created the account and has ultimate responsibility for its security and management.
Why other options are incorrect:
Option A: IAM users cannot manage root user access keys even with permissions, as this is a security boundary.
Option B: IAM roles cannot manage root user access keys, regardless of which account they're in.
Option C: Neither IAM users nor roles can manage root user access keys; this is an exclusive privilege of the account owner.
Best Practice: AWS recommends:
Avoid using root user access keys for daily operations
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for the root user
Create IAM users with appropriate permissions for regular tasks
Store root user credentials in a secure location and use them only when absolutely necessary