Quick Answer
The answer is Amazon S3 server access logs, which are the correct service to audit S3 object access because they provide detailed records of every request made to a bucket, including the requester, object key, operation, and response status at the object level. Unlike CloudTrail, which logs management-level API calls, S3 server access logs capture granular data on who accessed specific objects and when, making them ideal for a 30-day audit trail. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between logging services for data access versus resource changes or API calls—a common trap is confusing CloudTrail’s object-level logging (which requires additional enablement) with the native, detailed object access logs. Remember the mnemonic: “S3 SAL” for Server Access Logs, which directly answer “who touched my objects.”
This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data security and governance. 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 data engineer needs to audit who accessed specific objects in an S3 bucket over the past 30 days. Which AWS service should be used?
AWS Config
Why wrong: Config records resource configuration changes.
Amazon CloudWatch Logs
Why wrong: CloudWatch Logs stores logs but does not generate them.
Amazon S3 server access logs
These logs record access to objects.
AWS CloudTrail
Why wrong: CloudTrail logs management events, not detailed object access.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Amazon S3 server access logs
Option B is correct. S3 server access logs record object-level access. Option A is wrong because CloudTrail logs API calls, but S3 server access logs provide detailed object access. Option C is wrong because Config records resource changes, not access. Option D is wrong because CloudWatch Logs can store logs but not generate them.
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 Config
Why it's wrong here
Config records resource configuration changes.
Amazon CloudWatch Logs
Why it's wrong here
CloudWatch Logs stores logs but does not generate them.
Amazon S3 server access logs
Why this is correct
These logs record access to objects.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
AWS CloudTrail
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail logs management events, not detailed object access.
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.
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FAQ
Data Security and Governance — This question tests Data Security and Governance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Amazon S3 server access logs — Option B is correct. S3 server access logs record object-level access. Option A is wrong because CloudTrail logs API calls, but S3 server access logs provide detailed object access. Option C is wrong because Config records resource changes, not access. Option D is wrong because CloudWatch Logs can store logs but not generate them.
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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