Quick Answer
The answer is AWS DataSync and the AWS CLI. These two services are correct because they both support secure, internet-based file transfers to Amazon S3 without requiring any physical infrastructure. AWS DataSync automates and accelerates moving large datasets over the internet using encryption in transit, while the AWS CLI allows direct, scriptable uploads of individual files or batches via standard HTTPS endpoints. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between logical internet-based services and physical or streaming alternatives—a common trap is confusing Direct Connect or Snowcone, which involve dedicated physical connections or devices, with pure internet transfer methods. Remember that if the scenario says “over the internet,” you should immediately eliminate any option that mentions a physical cable, device, or real-time streaming. A helpful memory tip: for internet transfers, think “CLI and Sync—no cable, no link.”
This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data ingestion and transformation. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
A company is building a data lake on Amazon S3 and needs to ingest data from various on-premises sources. Which TWO AWS services can be used to transfer data securely over the internet?
AWS Snowcone
Why wrong: Snowcone is a physical device for offline transfer.
AWS DataSync
DataSync can transfer data over the internet.
Amazon Kinesis Data Firehose
Why wrong: Firehose is for streaming data, not file transfer.
AWS Direct Connect
Why wrong: Direct Connect is a dedicated network connection.
AWS CLI
AWS CLI can upload files to S3 over the internet.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AWS DataSync
Options A and C are correct because AWS DataSync can transfer data over the internet, and the AWS CLI can be used for uploads. Option B is incorrect because Direct Connect is a physical connection. Option D is incorrect because Snowcone is a physical device. Option E is incorrect because Kinesis Data Firehose is for streaming, not file transfer.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AWS Snowcone
Why it's wrong here
Snowcone is a physical device for offline transfer.
AWS DataSync
Why this is correct
DataSync can transfer data over the internet.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Amazon Kinesis Data Firehose
Why it's wrong here
Firehose is for streaming data, not file transfer.
AWS Direct Connect
Why it's wrong here
Direct Connect is a dedicated network connection.
AWS CLI
Why this is correct
AWS CLI can upload files to S3 over the internet.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Identify which DEA-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Data Ingestion and Transformation — study guide chapter
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Data Ingestion and Transformation practice questions
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FAQ
Data Ingestion and Transformation — This question tests Data Ingestion and Transformation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: AWS DataSync — Options A and C are correct because AWS DataSync can transfer data over the internet, and the AWS CLI can be used for uploads. Option B is incorrect because Direct Connect is a physical connection. Option D is incorrect because Snowcone is a physical device. Option E is incorrect because Kinesis Data Firehose is for streaming, not file transfer.
Identify which DEA-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This DEA-C01 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 DEA-C01 exam.
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