# Generate a Key
An Object Storage key must be generated manually through the DCD or [Object Storage Management API](https://api.ionos.com/docs/s3-management/v1/). Only on generating the first key, the **Canonical User ID** is displayed in the [Object Storage Credentials](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/backup-and-storage/concepts/key-management#object-storage-credentials) and **Management** > **Users & Groups** > **Users** > **Object Storage Keys** > **Object Storage** section.
## Generate a key for your account
{% hint style="info" %}
**Prerequisite:** Make sure you have the corresponding permission to manage the Object Storage. If you are not the contract owner or the administrator, you must be added to a group with **Use Object Storage** privilege.
{% endhint %}
To create an access key, follow these steps:
1\. In the **DCD**, go to **Menu** > **Storage & Backup** > **IONOS Object Storage**.
2\. In the **Key management** tab, go to the **Access keys** section and click the **Generate a key**.
3\. Confirm key generation by clicking **Generate**. The keys generated from April 2024 onwards will have access to both contract-owned buckets and user-owned buckets. It works with all [Endpoints](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/backup-and-storage/ionos-object-storage/endpoints).
{% hint style="success" %}
**Result:** A new access key for space.vars.ionos\_cloud\_object\_storage is successfully generated and is in `active` status by default.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="info" %}
**Info:** It is recommended to download the **Access Key** and **Secret Key** as a backup copy by using the **Download key pair** option. Using the key details, you can sign in to other Object Storage applications. A maximum of five unique Object Storage Keys can be created per user for different S3 applications.
{% endhint %}
To deactivate or delete keys, see [Manage Keys](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/backup-and-storage/ionos-object-storage/how-tos/manage-keys).
## Generate a key for other users
{% hint style="info" %}
**Prerequisite:** Make sure you have the corresponding permission to manage the Object Storage. If you are not the contract owner or the administrator, you must be added to a group with **Use Object Storage** privilege.
{% endhint %}
1\. In the **DCD**, go to **Menu** > **Management** > **Users & Groups**.
2\. Select the user from the **Users** list and click the **Object Storage Keys** tab.
3\. Click **+ Generate Key** and confirm key generation by clicking **OK**.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Result:** A new access key for space.vars.ionos\_cloud\_object\_storage is successfully generated for the user and listed in the user's **Object Storage Keys** tab. By default, the key is in the `active` status.
{% endhint %}
### Next steps
* From the **Object Storage Keys** list, click the  on the respective key you want to use. Copy the **Key** value and **Secret** value from the respective fields to sign in to other Object Storage applications.
* To deactivate or delete keys, see [Manage Keys](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/backup-and-storage/ionos-object-storage/how-tos/manage-keys).
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