DBS-C01 Database Security Practice Question
A developer wants to grant an IAM user read-only access to an Amazon DynamoDB table named 'Orders' in the 'us-east-1' region. Which IAM policy should be attached to the user?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
{"Version":"2012-10-17","Statement":[{"Effect":"Allow","Action":["dynamodb:GetItem","dynamodb:Query","dynamodb:Scan"],"Resource":"arn:aws:dynamodb:us-east-1:123456789012:table/Orders"}]}
It grants only the read-only actions GetItem, Query, and Scan on the specified DynamoDB table. Option B is incorrect because it grants full DynamoDB access (dynamodb:*) to the table, allowing write and delete operations. Option C is incorrect because it includes PutItem and UpdateItem, which are write operations. Option D is incorrect because it uses a Deny effect for write operations, but an explicit deny is not necessary and could conflict with other policies; additionally, it does not explicitly allow read actions, so the user would have no access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
{"Version":"2012-10-17","Statement":[{"Effect":"Allow","Action":["dynamodb:GetItem","dynamodb:Query","dynamodb:Scan"],"Resource":"arn:aws:dynamodb:us-east-1:123456789012:table/Orders"}]}
Why this is correct
This allows read-only actions on the table.
- ✗
{"Version":"2012-10-17","Statement":[{"Effect":"Allow","Action":["dynamodb:*"],"Resource":"arn:aws:dynamodb:us-east-1:123456789012:table/Orders"}]}
Why it's wrong here
This grants all DynamoDB actions, including write and delete.
- ✗
{"Version":"2012-10-17","Statement":[{"Effect":"Allow","Action":["dynamodb:GetItem","dynamodb:PutItem","dynamodb:UpdateItem"],"Resource":"arn:aws:dynamodb:us-east-1:123456789012:table/Orders"}]}
Why it's wrong here
This includes write actions (PutItem, UpdateItem), not read-only.
- ✗
{"Version":"2012-10-17","Statement":[{"Effect":"Deny","Action":["dynamodb:PutItem","dynamodb:UpdateItem","dynamodb:DeleteItem"],"Resource":"arn:aws:dynamodb:us-east-1:123456789012:table/Orders"}]}
Why it's wrong here
A Deny statement does not grant any permissions; it only denies specific actions. The user would have no access by default.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.