Quick Answer
The answer is column-level filtering, a feature within AWS Lake Formation that enables precise control over which columns a user can see in a table. This works by creating a data filter that specifies the allowed columns, and then granting the analyst a SELECT permission with that filter applied, effectively hiding sensitive or irrelevant columns from the query results. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this concept tests your understanding of Lake Formation’s granular access controls, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must distinguish column-level filtering from row-level security or tag-based approaches. A common trap is confusing it with cell-level security, which restricts rows, not columns, or assuming IAM policies can achieve column-level granularity—they cannot. Remember the mnemonic: “Columns are vertical, so vertical filtering is for columns; rows are horizontal, so cell-level security is for rows.”
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 company is using AWS Lake Formation to manage access to a data lake in S3. They want to grant a data analyst access to specific columns in a table, but not to the entire table. Which Lake Formation feature should be used?
Row-level security (cell-level filtering)
Why wrong: Row-level security filters rows, not columns.
IAM policies on the S3 bucket
Why wrong: IAM policies cannot grant column-level access at the table level.
Column-level filtering
Column-level filtering restricts access to specific columns.
Tag-based access control (TBAC)
Why wrong: TBAC uses tags, not column-level permissions.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Column-level filtering
Option B is correct because Lake Formation column-level filtering allows granting access to specific columns. Option A (cell-level security) is for row-level security, not columns. Option C (tag-based access control) uses tags to control access, not column-level. Option D (IAM policies) are not column-specific.
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.
Row-level security (cell-level filtering)
Why it's wrong here
Row-level security filters rows, not columns.
IAM policies on the S3 bucket
Why it's wrong here
IAM policies cannot grant column-level access at the table level.
Column-level filtering
Why this is correct
Column-level filtering restricts access to specific columns.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Tag-based access control (TBAC)
Why it's wrong here
TBAC uses tags, not column-level permissions.
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: Column-level filtering — Option B is correct because Lake Formation column-level filtering allows granting access to specific columns. Option A (cell-level security) is for row-level security, not columns. Option C (tag-based access control) uses tags to control access, not column-level. Option D (IAM policies) are not column-specific.
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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