aws-vault

AWS Vault is a command line tool used to securely store and access AWS access keys. It provides a way to encrypt and store AWS access keys in the operating system's secure password store, such as Keychain on macOS or the Credential Manager on Windows.

The purpose of AWS Vault is to provide a more secure and convenient alternative to storing AWS access keys as plain text in environment variables or configuration files. With AWS Vault, you can securely store your access keys once and then easily retrieve them whenever needed, without the risk of exposing them in plain text.

When using AWS Vault, you can authenticate to AWS services by leveraging your system's native authentication methods, like logging in with a username and password or two-factor authentication. This adds an extra layer of security since AWS access keys are not directly accessible, reducing the risk of accidental exposure or unauthorized access.

AWS Vault also supports role switching, which allows you to assume different roles within AWS accounts without needing to store multiple sets of access keys. This can be particularly useful for users who need to access multiple AWS accounts or assume different roles with different permissions within an account.

Overall, AWS Vault provides a more secure and user-friendly way to manage AWS access keys, offering enhanced security and convenience compared to traditional methods of storing and accessing access keys.