- A
{"Version":"2012-10-17","Statement":[{"Effect":"Allow","Action":["dynamodb:GetItem","dynamodb:Query","dynamodb:Scan"],"Resource":"arn:aws:dynamodb:us-east-1:123456789012:table/Orders"}]}
This allows read-only actions on the table.
- B
{"Version":"2012-10-17","Statement":[{"Effect":"Allow","Action":["dynamodb:*"],"Resource":"arn:aws:dynamodb:us-east-1:123456789012:table/Orders"}]}
Why wrong: This grants all DynamoDB actions, including write and delete.
- C
{"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 wrong: This includes write actions (PutItem, UpdateItem), not read-only.
- D
{"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 wrong: A Deny statement does not grant any permissions; it only denies specific actions. The user would have no access by default.
DynamoDB IAM Policy for Read-Only Access
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 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"}]}
Option A is correct because 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.
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.
- ✓
{"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.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
{"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.
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.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
Database Security — This question tests Database Security — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: {"Version":"2012-10-17","Statement":[{"Effect":"Allow","Action":["dynamodb:GetItem","dynamodb:Query","dynamodb:Scan"],"Resource":"arn:aws:dynamodb:us-east-1:123456789012:table/Orders"}]} — Option A is correct because 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.
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.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on DBS-C01
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 company is using Amazon DynamoDB and wants to restrict access to a specific table so that only users in a particular IAM group can perform read and write operations. Which THREE steps should be taken to achieve this?
easy- ✓ A.Create an IAM policy that allows dynamodb:GetItem, dynamodb:PutItem, etc. on the specific table ARN.
- ✓ B.Attach the IAM policy to an IAM group.
- C.Attach a resource-based policy to the DynamoDB table allowing access from the group.
- ✓ D.Add the users to the IAM group.
- E.Create an IAM role and assign it to the table.
Why A: The correct answers are A, B, and D. To restrict access to a specific DynamoDB table, you create an IAM policy that allows the required DynamoDB actions on that table's ARN (A). You then attach that policy to an IAM group (B), and add the users who need access to that group (D). Options C and E are incorrect because DynamoDB does not support resource-based policies, and IAM roles are not directly assigned to tables for access control.
Variation 2. A company wants to restrict access to an Amazon DynamoDB table so that only specific IAM users can read and write data. What is the BEST way to achieve this?
easy- A.Use a resource-based policy on the DynamoDB table.
- ✓ B.Create an IAM policy that grants access to the DynamoDB table and attach it to the specific IAM users.
- C.Use DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) with IAM authentication.
- D.Create a VPC endpoint for DynamoDB and allow only traffic from that VPC.
Why B: Using an IAM policy attached to specific IAM users is the most precise method to restrict access to a DynamoDB table. Resource-based policies are not supported for DynamoDB (Option A is wrong). VPC endpoints control network traffic but do not restrict which users can access the table (Option D is wrong). DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) with IAM authentication handles caching and authentication, not table-level access control (Option C is wrong).
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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