DBS-C01 Deployment and Migration Practice Question
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
{
"Version": "2012-10-17",
"Statement": [
{
"Effect": "Allow",
"Action": "rds:CreateDBInstance",
"Resource": "arn:aws:rds:us-east-1:123456789012:db:my-database"
},
{
"Effect": "Allow",
"Action": "rds:CreateDBSubnetGroup",
"Resource": "*"
},
{
"Effect": "Deny",
"Action": "rds:ModifyDBInstance",
"Resource": "*"
}
]
}An IAM policy is attached to a user who is deploying an RDS database. The user attempts to create a DB instance named 'my-database' using the AWS CLI. Which statement is true?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates assume a Deny statement always overrides an Allow, but they overlook that the Deny in this policy only applies to actions not explicitly allowed, and the specific Allow for `rds:CreateDBInstance` on the matching resource ARN permits the operation.
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
✓
The user can create the DB instance
The IAM policy explicitly allows the `rds:CreateDBInstance` action for the resource `arn:aws:rds:us-east-1:123456789012:db:my-database`. The Deny statement only applies to actions not listed in the Allow statement, but since the specific action and resource match the Allow, the user is permitted to create the DB instance. AWS IAM evaluates policies with an explicit Allow overriding an implicit Deny, and the Deny here does not block the allowed action.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The user cannot create the DB instance because the Deny statement applies to all actions
Why it's wrong here
Deny only applies to ModifyDBInstance, not CreateDBInstance.
- ✗
The user cannot create the DB instance because the resource ARN does not exist yet
Why it's wrong here
Resource ARN can be specified before creation.
- ✗
The user cannot create the DB instance because of an error in the policy
Why it's wrong here
Policy is syntactically correct.
- ✓
The user can create the DB instance
Why this is correct
The Allow statement explicitly allows CreateDBInstance on the resource.
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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.