- A
Place the DynamoDB table and Lambda function in the same VPC and use a VPC endpoint to control access.
Why wrong: VPC endpoints allow traffic but do not provide fine-grained access control to specific principals.
- B
Encrypt the DynamoDB table with an AWS KMS key and grant the Lambda function decryption permissions.
Why wrong: Encryption protects data at rest but does not control read/write access.
- C
Create an IAM role for the Lambda function with DynamoDB access, and configure a resource-based policy on the DynamoDB table that allows only that role.
The resource-based policy on DynamoDB restricts access to the specified IAM role, ensuring only the Lambda function can access the table.
- D
Create an IAM role for the Lambda function with a policy that allows DynamoDB access, and attach the role to the function.
Why wrong: This allows the Lambda function to access the table but does not prevent other principals from accessing the table if they have permissions.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to create an IAM role for the Lambda function with DynamoDB access and configure a resource-based policy on the DynamoDB table that allows only that role. This works because a DynamoDB resource-based policy explicitly defines which principals—in this case, the Lambda function’s IAM role—are permitted to perform actions on the table, effectively blocking all other identities even if they have broader IAM permissions. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of cross-account or cross-service access control, where a resource-based policy acts as a second layer of defense beyond the principal’s IAM role. A common trap is assuming that attaching an IAM role to the Lambda function alone is sufficient; however, without a resource-based policy, any other principal with DynamoDB access could still reach the table. Remember the mnemonic “Role plus Policy equals Lock” to recall that both the function’s IAM role and the table’s resource-based policy are required for precise restriction.
DBS-C01 Database Security Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of database security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 development team is building a serverless application that uses Amazon DynamoDB. The team needs to ensure that only the application's Lambda function can read and write data to a specific DynamoDB table. The Lambda function uses an IAM role. How should the team configure access?
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
Create an IAM role for the Lambda function with DynamoDB access, and configure a resource-based policy on the DynamoDB table that allows only that role.
Option B is correct because using a resource-based policy on the DynamoDB table that grants access only to the Lambda function's role is the proper way to restrict access. Option A is wrong because an IAM role attached to the Lambda function alone does not restrict other principals from accessing the table; a resource-based policy is needed. Option C is wrong because DynamoDB does not support VPC endpoints for resource-based policies in this manner. Option D is wrong because encryption does not control access.
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.
- ✗
Place the DynamoDB table and Lambda function in the same VPC and use a VPC endpoint to control access.
Why it's wrong here
VPC endpoints allow traffic but do not provide fine-grained access control to specific principals.
- ✗
Encrypt the DynamoDB table with an AWS KMS key and grant the Lambda function decryption permissions.
Why it's wrong here
Encryption protects data at rest but does not control read/write access.
- ✓
Create an IAM role for the Lambda function with DynamoDB access, and configure a resource-based policy on the DynamoDB table that allows only that role.
Why this is correct
The resource-based policy on DynamoDB restricts access to the specified IAM role, ensuring only the Lambda function can access the table.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Create an IAM role for the Lambda function with a policy that allows DynamoDB access, and attach the role to the function.
Why it's wrong here
This allows the Lambda function to access the table but does not prevent other principals from accessing the table if they have permissions.
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 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 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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
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: Create an IAM role for the Lambda function with DynamoDB access, and configure a resource-based policy on the DynamoDB table that allows only that role. — Option B is correct because using a resource-based policy on the DynamoDB table that grants access only to the Lambda function's role is the proper way to restrict access. Option A is wrong because an IAM role attached to the Lambda function alone does not restrict other principals from accessing the table; a resource-based policy is needed. Option C is wrong because DynamoDB does not support VPC endpoints for resource-based policies in this manner. Option D is wrong because encryption does not control access.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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