DynamoDB IAM Policy for Table and Index — Separate ARN for Index Operations
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of workload-specific database design. 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.
An IAM policy is attached to an application role that accesses a DynamoDB table named 'Orders'. The table has a global secondary index named 'OrderDateIndex'. The application needs to write new orders and query the index. Based on the exhibit, will the application be able to perform these operations?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Yes, the policy allows both writes and querying the index.
The IAM policy grants `dynamodb:PutItem` on the table and `dynamodb:Query` on the index. Since the policy explicitly allows both actions on their respective ARNs, the application can write new orders to the 'Orders' table and query the 'OrderDateIndex' global secondary index. Option B is correct because the policy covers both required operations.
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.
✗
Yes, but only writes are allowed; index queries are denied.
Why it's wrong here
Index queries are allowed.
✓
Yes, the policy allows both writes and querying the index.
Why this is correct
PutItem allowed on table, Query allowed on index.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
No, the policy does not grant access to the index.
Why it's wrong here
Index is included in the policy.
✗
No, the policy denies Query on the index.
Why it's wrong here
Query is explicitly allowed on the index.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume a policy allowing actions on a table automatically extends to its global secondary indexes, but DynamoDB requires separate ARN entries for index-level operations like Query.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In DynamoDB, IAM policies must specify the resource ARN for the index (e.g., `arn:aws:dynamodb:region:account-id:table/Orders/index/OrderDateIndex`) to allow Query on a GSI. Without this explicit ARN, a Query action on the index would fail even if the table ARN is allowed. This is because DynamoDB treats indexes as separate subresources for IAM authorization, requiring distinct ARN patterns for table and index operations.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Workload-Specific Database Design — This question tests Workload-Specific Database Design — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Yes, the policy allows both writes and querying the index. — The IAM policy grants `dynamodb:PutItem` on the table and `dynamodb:Query` on the index. Since the policy explicitly allows both actions on their respective ARNs, the application can write new orders to the 'Orders' table and query the 'OrderDateIndex' global secondary index. Option B is correct because the policy covers both required operations.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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