Mastering AWS CLI for IAM: Commands, Best Practices, and Automation

Andrios Robert

13 Sep 2025 • 2 min read

The first time you run aws iam list-users and see your organization's accounts spill across the screen, you realize two things: power and risk live side by side.

AWS CLI Identity and Access Management (IAM) is the control room. It defines who gets in, what they can touch, and how they prove they should be there. When used well, it becomes the backbone of a secure cloud. When used poorly, it’s an open door.

Why AWS CLI for IAM Matters

The AWS Management Console is fine for small setups. But once teams grow and permissions multiply, the CLI is faster, more precise, and easier to automate. With the CLI, you can:

Create and manage IAM users, groups, roles, and policies.
Script permission changes to handle dozens of resources at once.
Integrate IAM operations into CI/CD pipelines for constant enforcement.

Core AWS CLI IAM Commands

A strong IAM setup starts with knowing the right commands and how to use them:

List Users

aws iam list-users

Create a User

aws iam create-user --user-name Developer1

Attach a Policy to a User

aws iam attach-user-policy \
--user-name Developer1 \
--policy-arn arn:aws:iam::aws:policy/AmazonS3FullAccess

List Attached User Policies

aws iam list-attached-user-policies --user-name Developer1

Create a Role for EC2

aws iam create-role \
--role-name EC2BackupRole \
--assume-role-policy-document file://trust-policy.json

Each command is simple, but together they lock down or open up entire environments.

Best Practices for AWS CLI IAM

Least Privilege Always: Start with no permissions and add only what is needed.
Use Roles Over Long-Term Keys: Roles with temporary credentials reduce exposure.
Version-Control Policies: Keep policy JSON files in your repo for review and audits.
Rotate Access Keys Quickly: Automate rotation with scripting to reduce attack surface.
Test Changes in a Sandbox: Validate before rolling out to production.

Automating IAM at Scale

The true potential appears when IAM tasks are scripted and triggered automatically. Use tools like Bash or Python with Boto3 alongside AWS CLI to:

Provision accounts on demand.
Revoke permissions in response to incidents.
Sync IAM roles across multiple AWS accounts.

Automation means consistency. Consistency means fewer blind spots.

Security Audits with AWS CLI

Regularly run:

aws iam generate-credential-report

This single command flags unused access keys, old passwords, and inactive accounts. With the right filters and diffs, it becomes a daily security heartbeat.

Putting It All Together

Secure cloud environments demand speed and precision. AWS CLI IAM commands deliver both. They give you the ability to create, modify, and audit permissions in seconds, anywhere, any time.

If you want to take IAM automation even further, see it live in minutes with hoop.dev — and turn your IAM automation into a living, breathing part of your cloud environment.