The correct answer involves three actions: using CloudTrail logs to detect unauthorized scans, implementing a resource-based policy with a condition key to deny the Scan action, and applying fine-grained access control with IAM conditions like `dynamodb:Attributes`. These choices work together because CloudTrail provides detective control by logging all API calls, allowing you to identify who performed a scan and when, while the resource-based policy acts as a preventive control by explicitly blocking the Scan action for unauthorized users via a condition key. Fine-grained access control further restricts scans to only specific attributes, reducing the blast radius of any unauthorized access. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of DynamoDB security mechanisms and the distinction between detective and preventive controls—a common trap is confusing VPC Flow Logs (which capture network traffic, not database operations) with CloudTrail. Memory tip: think "Detect with CloudTrail, Prevent with Policy, Restrict with Attributes."
DBS-C01 Database Security Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of database security. 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 uses Amazon DynamoDB to store session data for a web application. The security team discovers that an IAM user has been performing unauthorized scans on the table. They need to implement controls to detect and prevent such unauthorized access in the future. Which THREE actions should the security team take? (Choose THREE.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable AWS CloudTrail logging and create a metric filter for Scan API calls.
Options A, B, and E are correct. Option A: Using CloudTrail logs to detect unauthorized scans helps with detective controls. Option B: Implementing a resource-based policy with a condition key 'dynamodb:Scan' to deny access is a preventive control. Option E: Using fine-grained access control with IAM conditions like 'dynamodb:Attributes' can restrict scans to specific attributes. Option C is wrong because VPC Flow Logs capture network traffic, not DynamoDB operations. Option D is wrong because disabling scan operations is not practical; many use cases require scans.
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.
✓
Enable AWS CloudTrail logging and create a metric filter for Scan API calls.
Why this is correct
CloudTrail logs API calls, and metric filters can trigger alarms on unauthorized scans.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✓
Use fine-grained access control with IAM conditions to restrict access to specific items or attributes.
Why this is correct
This limits what data can be accessed even if a scan is allowed.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Disable the Scan operation on the DynamoDB table.
Why it's wrong here
Scan operations are often needed; disabling them would break functionality.
✓
Create an IAM policy that denies the 'Scan' action for unauthorized users using a condition key.
Why this is correct
This prevents unauthorized users from performing scans.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Enable VPC Flow Logs to monitor traffic to DynamoDB.
Why it's wrong here
VPC Flow Logs show network traffic, not DynamoDB operations.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
VPC Flow Logs show network traffic, not DynamoDB operations.
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 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.
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 DBS-C01 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Database Security — This question tests Database Security — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable AWS CloudTrail logging and create a metric filter for Scan API calls. — Options A, B, and E are correct. Option A: Using CloudTrail logs to detect unauthorized scans helps with detective controls. Option B: Implementing a resource-based policy with a condition key 'dynamodb:Scan' to deny access is a preventive control. Option E: Using fine-grained access control with IAM conditions like 'dynamodb:Attributes' can restrict scans to specific attributes. Option C is wrong because VPC Flow Logs capture network traffic, not DynamoDB operations. Option D is wrong because disabling scan operations is not practical; many use cases require scans.
What should I do if I get this DBS-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 DBS-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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