The correct answer is a VPC endpoint policy that allows only the specific VPC endpoint to access the DynamoDB table. This works because a VPC endpoint policy is a resource-based policy attached directly to the endpoint gateway or interface, which evaluates the source VPC endpoint ID (aws:SourceVpce) before granting access to DynamoDB—effectively locking down the table to traffic originating only from that private connection. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of how to combine network-level controls with DynamoDB’s access policies, often appearing as a distractor where candidates mistakenly choose an IAM user policy (which cannot restrict the network source) or a security group (which applies only to EC2/RDS, not DynamoDB). The common trap is confusing IAM policies with VPC endpoint policies; remember that IAM controls who, while VPC endpoint policies control where. Memory tip: “Endpoint policy = endpoint ID filter; IAM policy = user filter.”
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 wants to restrict access to an Amazon DynamoDB table so that only requests from a specific VPC endpoint are allowed. Which policy should be attached to the table?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
A VPC endpoint policy that allows only the specific VPC endpoint to access the DynamoDB table.
Option C is correct because a VPC endpoint policy can restrict access based on the source VPC endpoint. Option A is wrong because an IAM policy attached to a user would not restrict the source VPC. Option B is wrong because bucket policies are for S3. Option D is wrong because security groups are for EC2 and RDS, not DynamoDB.
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.
✗
A security group rule that allows traffic only from the VPC endpoint.
Why it's wrong here
Security groups are not used for DynamoDB access control.
✗
An IAM policy that denies access unless the request comes from the specific VPC.
Why it's wrong here
IAM policies cannot restrict source VPC directly; they use source IP conditions which may not reflect VPC endpoint.
✓
A VPC endpoint policy that allows only the specific VPC endpoint to access the DynamoDB table.
Why this is correct
VPC endpoint policies can restrict access to specific resources and endpoints.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
An S3 bucket policy that references the DynamoDB table.
Why it's wrong here
Bucket policies are for S3, not DynamoDB.
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 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.
Identify which DBS-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.
Database Security — This question tests Database Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A VPC endpoint policy that allows only the specific VPC endpoint to access the DynamoDB table. — Option C is correct because a VPC endpoint policy can restrict access based on the source VPC endpoint. Option A is wrong because an IAM policy attached to a user would not restrict the source VPC. Option B is wrong because bucket policies are for S3. Option D is wrong because security groups are for EC2 and RDS, not DynamoDB.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which DBS-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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A security engineer needs to restrict access to an Amazon DynamoDB table so that only users from a specific AWS account can read and write data. Which of the following can be used to achieve this? (Choose TWO.)
medium
✓ A.Use a VPC endpoint policy for DynamoDB.
B.Use a resource-based policy on the DynamoDB table.
✓ C.Use an IAM policy with a condition key such as 'aws:SourceAccount'.
D.Use a security group to restrict access to the DynamoDB table.
E.Use an S3 bucket policy to allow access to the DynamoDB table.
Why A: Options B and D are correct. An IAM policy with a condition that checks the 'aws:SourceAccount' or 'aws:SourceArn' can restrict access to requests coming from a specific account. Also, a VPC endpoint policy for DynamoDB can restrict access to specific tables and source accounts. Option A is incorrect because DynamoDB does not support resource-based policies. Option C is incorrect because an S3 bucket policy does not apply to DynamoDB. Option E is incorrect because a security group does not control DynamoDB access at the account level.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
Question Discussion
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This DBS-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 DBS-C01 exam.
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