The answer is yes, the developer can delete the snapshot because the IAM policy deny delete instance but allow delete snapshot logic hinges on the specific action being evaluated. The Deny statement explicitly targets only rds:DeleteDBInstance, and since deleting a snapshot uses the separate rds:DeleteDBSnapshot action, the Deny does not apply. AWS IAM evaluation logic processes explicit Deny statements first, but because no Deny exists for snapshot deletion, the Allow statement for all RDS actions takes effect, permitting the operation. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that IAM policies are action-specific, not resource-name-specific; a common trap is assuming a Deny on a resource name like 'production-' blocks all actions on that resource. Remember the memory tip: "Deny the action, not the name" — always check which API call is being denied, not just the resource identifier.
DBS-C01 Management and Operations Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of management and operations. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. A database administrator is writing an IAM policy to manage Amazon RDS snapshots. The policy allows actions on all RDS resources but denies deletion of any DB instance with the prefix 'production-'. A developer attempts to delete a snapshot named 'production-snapshot-2020'. Will this action be allowed?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Yes, because the Deny statement only applies to deleting DB instances, not snapshots.
Option B is correct because the 'Deny' statement only applies to the 'rds:DeleteDBInstance' action, not to 'rds:DeleteDBSnapshot'. The 'Allow' statement explicitly allows 'rds:DeleteDBSnapshot' on all resources. Since there is no explicit deny for deleting snapshots, the allow takes effect. Option A is incorrect because the deny only applies to deleting instances, not snapshots. Option C is incorrect because the policy does not deny snapshot deletion. Option D is incorrect because the developer is allowed to delete snapshots.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 if the developer has the necessary permissions.
Why it's wrong here
The policy explicitly allows 'rds:DeleteDBSnapshot' on all resources, so the developer can delete the snapshot.
✗
No, because the Deny statement overrides the Allow statement.
Why it's wrong here
The Deny statement only applies to 'rds:DeleteDBInstance', not to 'rds:DeleteDBSnapshot'.
✓
Yes, because the Deny statement only applies to deleting DB instances, not snapshots.
Why this is correct
The Deny is specific to 'rds:DeleteDBInstance', so snapshot deletion is allowed.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
No, because the snapshot name starts with 'production-', which matches the resource pattern in the Deny statement.
Why it's wrong here
The Deny statement's resource is for db:production-*, not snapshot:production-*.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DBS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Management and Operations — This question tests Management and Operations — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Yes, because the Deny statement only applies to deleting DB instances, not snapshots. — Option B is correct because the 'Deny' statement only applies to the 'rds:DeleteDBInstance' action, not to 'rds:DeleteDBSnapshot'. The 'Allow' statement explicitly allows 'rds:DeleteDBSnapshot' on all resources. Since there is no explicit deny for deleting snapshots, the allow takes effect. Option A is incorrect because the deny only applies to deleting instances, not snapshots. Option C is incorrect because the policy does not deny snapshot deletion. Option D is incorrect because the developer is allowed to delete snapshots.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DBS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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