The correct answer is that the policy allows decryption only when the encryption context contains the key-value pair {"aws:pi":"db-123"}. This works because the kms:Decrypt action is combined with a kms:EncryptionContextKeys condition that checks for the presence of a specific key, and a kms:EncryptionContext condition that enforces the exact value "db-123". On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this tests your understanding of how encryption context conditions in KMS key policies can restrict decryption to data originally encrypted with a matching context—a common security pattern for database or application-level isolation. A frequent trap is confusing the condition for encryption versus decryption, or assuming any context value is accepted. Remember the memory tip: “Decrypt demands the same context it was wrapped in,” so the policy acts like a lock that only opens when the exact key and value are provided.
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.
Refer to the exhibit. An IAM policy includes the above statement to allow decryption of a KMS key under specific conditions. What does this policy allow?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Decrypt data that was encrypted with the encryption context {"aws:pi":"db-123"}
Option A is correct because the policy allows decryption only when the encryption context contains the key "aws:pi" with value "db-123". Option B is wrong because the condition requires a specific value. Option C is wrong because the action is Decrypt, not Encrypt. Option D is wrong because the resource is "*", not a specific key.
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.
✗
Decrypt any data encrypted with any KMS key
Why it's wrong here
The condition restricts the context.
✓
Decrypt data that was encrypted with the encryption context {"aws:pi":"db-123"}
Why this is correct
The condition matches that context.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Encrypt data with the KMS key using the specified encryption context
Why it's wrong here
The action is Decrypt, not Encrypt.
✗
Decrypt data encrypted with the KMS key without any encryption context
Why it's wrong here
The condition requires the context.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 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 Security and Governance — This question tests Data Security and Governance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Decrypt data that was encrypted with the encryption context {"aws:pi":"db-123"} — Option A is correct because the policy allows decryption only when the encryption context contains the key "aws:pi" with value "db-123". Option B is wrong because the condition requires a specific value. Option C is wrong because the action is Decrypt, not Encrypt. Option D is wrong because the resource is "*", not a specific key.
What should I do if I get this DEA-C01 question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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.
Question Discussion
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