- A
Writing the Lambda function code
Why wrong: Function code is always the customer's responsibility — AWS doesn't write customer application logic.
- B
Managing the underlying OS, runtime, and execution environment
For Lambda, AWS manages the entire infrastructure stack including OS, runtime patching, scaling infrastructure, and execution environment — customers only manage their function code.
- C
Configuring IAM roles and permissions for Lambda functions
Why wrong: IAM role configuration for Lambda functions is the customer's responsibility — which AWS services the function can call and what data it can access.
- D
Encrypting the data processed by the function
Why wrong: Data encryption choices and key management for data processed by Lambda is the customer's responsibility within their function and data stores.
Quick Answer
The answer is that AWS manages the underlying OS, runtime, and execution environment for Lambda. This is correct because Lambda is a serverless compute service where AWS handles the security of the cloud, including patching the runtime, managing the hypervisor, and ensuring tenant isolation, while you only provide the code and configuration. On the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner CLF-C02 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how the shared responsibility model shifts for managed services—a common trap is assuming you must patch the OS or runtime in serverless, but AWS does that entirely. For a memory tip, think “Lambda = AWS does the laundry (OS, runtime, environment); you just bring the clothes (code).”
CLF-C02 Cloud Concepts Practice Question
This CLF-C02 practice question tests your understanding of cloud concepts. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Under the AWS Shared Responsibility Model, what is AWS responsible for when a customer uses AWS Lambda?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Managing the underlying OS, runtime, and execution environment
AWS Lambda is a serverless compute service where AWS manages the underlying infrastructure, including the operating system, runtime environment, and execution environment. Under the Shared Responsibility Model, AWS is responsible for the security of the cloud, which for Lambda includes patching the runtime, managing the hypervisor, and ensuring the execution environment is isolated between customers. The customer is only responsible for the code and configuration they provide.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Writing the Lambda function code
Why it's wrong here
Function code is always the customer's responsibility — AWS doesn't write customer application logic.
- ✓
Managing the underlying OS, runtime, and execution environment
Why this is correct
For Lambda, AWS manages the entire infrastructure stack including OS, runtime patching, scaling infrastructure, and execution environment — customers only manage their function code.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Configuring IAM roles and permissions for Lambda functions
Why it's wrong here
IAM role configuration for Lambda functions is the customer's responsibility — which AWS services the function can call and what data it can access.
- ✗
Encrypting the data processed by the function
Why it's wrong here
Data encryption choices and key management for data processed by Lambda is the customer's responsibility within their function and data stores.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'serverless' with 'no responsibility for anything,' but AWS still manages the underlying runtime and execution environment while the customer remains responsible for code, IAM, and data encryption.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS Lambda execution environments are built on Amazon Linux and are fully managed by AWS, including security patching of the runtime (e.g., Python 3.9, Node.js 18) and the underlying Nitro hypervisor. AWS automatically applies patches to the execution environment without customer intervention, but the customer must update the function code to use a newer runtime version when the old one reaches end of life. In a real-world scenario, if a vulnerability is discovered in the Lambda runtime, AWS handles the patching at the infrastructure level, but the customer must ensure their code does not introduce security flaws.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CLF-C02 question test?
Cloud Concepts — This question tests Cloud Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Managing the underlying OS, runtime, and execution environment — AWS Lambda is a serverless compute service where AWS manages the underlying infrastructure, including the operating system, runtime environment, and execution environment. Under the Shared Responsibility Model, AWS is responsible for the security of the cloud, which for Lambda includes patching the runtime, managing the hypervisor, and ensuring the execution environment is isolated between customers. The customer is only responsible for the code and configuration they provide.
What should I do if I get this CLF-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This CLF-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CLF-C02 exam.
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