The answer is to detach the AmazonS3FullAccess policy from the role. This is correct because AmazonS3FullAccess grants direct S3 API permissions, allowing the role to bypass Lake Formation’s fine-grained access controls entirely. To restrict S3 access to Lake Formation only, you must remove any IAM policies that permit standalone S3 operations, while retaining the AWSLakeFormationDataAdmin policy for administrative tasks. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how Lake Formation enforces access via the principal’s IAM role, not through bucket policies alone—a common trap is assuming a bucket policy can block direct access, but Lake Formation relies on the caller’s identity. Remember the key principle: Lake Formation is the gatekeeper; if an IAM policy opens a side door, the gate is useless. Memory tip: “FullAccess = Full Bypass”—detach it to keep Lake Formation in control.
DEA-C01 Data Security and Governance Practice Question
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.
Network Topology
Refer to the exhibit. A data engineer runs the above command and sees that the DataLakeAdmin role has the AmazonS3FullAccess and AWSLakeFormationDataAdmin policies attached. The engineer wants to ensure that the role can only access S3 data through Lake Formation. What should the engineer do?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Detach the AmazonS3FullAccess policy from the role
To enforce that access is only through Lake Formation, the engineer should detach the AmazonS3FullAccess policy because it allows direct S3 access, bypassing Lake Formation. The LakeFormationAdmin policy is needed for Lake Formation administration. Changing the S3 bucket policy to deny all access except from Lake Formation is not straightforward because Lake Formation uses the principal's IAM role. Creating a new policy that denies S3 access would be redundant if the full access policy is removed.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Create a new IAM policy that explicitly denies s3:GetObject and attach it to the role
Why it's wrong here
This would be redundant if the full access policy is removed; it's better to remove the full access policy.
✗
Detach the AWSLakeFormationDataAdmin policy from the role
Why it's wrong here
This would remove Lake Formation admin permissions, but the role still has S3 full access, which is not desired.
✓
Detach the AmazonS3FullAccess policy from the role
Why this is correct
This removes direct S3 access, forcing the role to use Lake Formation for data access.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Modify the S3 bucket policy to deny all access except from Lake Formation
Why it's wrong here
This is complex and not the standard way to enforce Lake Formation access.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related DEA-C01 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Data Security and Governance — This question tests Data Security and Governance — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Detach the AmazonS3FullAccess policy from the role — To enforce that access is only through Lake Formation, the engineer should detach the AmazonS3FullAccess policy because it allows direct S3 access, bypassing Lake Formation. The LakeFormationAdmin policy is needed for Lake Formation administration. Changing the S3 bucket policy to deny all access except from Lake Formation is not straightforward because Lake Formation uses the principal's IAM role. Creating a new policy that denies S3 access would be redundant if the full access policy is removed.
What should I do if I get this DEA-C01 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related DEA-C01 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Question Discussion
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