The answer is to enable AWS CloudTrail with data events for the KMS key. This is correct because CloudTrail captures all KMS API calls, including Decrypt, Encrypt, and GenerateDataKey, providing the detailed audit trail the security team needs for KMS key audit logging. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this tests your understanding that CloudTrail data events are required to log data plane operations like decryption, whereas management events only capture key management actions. A common trap is confusing S3 server access logs or AWS Config with CloudTrail—S3 logs lack KMS operation details, and Config tracks resource changes, not API calls. Remember the mnemonic: “Data events for data actions, management events for key management.”
DVA-C02 Security Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of 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 company uses AWS KMS to encrypt data at rest in S3. The security team wants to audit all use of the KMS key, including decryption operations. What should the developer enable?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable AWS CloudTrail with data events for the KMS key.
AWS CloudTrail logs all KMS API calls, including Decrypt, Encrypt, and GenerateDataKey. This provides the audit trail required. Option A is wrong because S3 server access logs do not include KMS operation details. Option C is wrong because CloudWatch Logs is for log storage, not for capturing API calls. Option D is wrong because AWS Config records resource configuration changes, not API calls.
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.
✗
Enable AWS Config rules to monitor key usage.
Why it's wrong here
AWS Config tracks configuration changes, not API calls like Decrypt.
✓
Enable AWS CloudTrail with data events for the KMS key.
Why this is correct
CloudTrail data events capture KMS Decrypt and other operations on the key, providing full auditability.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable S3 server access logging.
Why it's wrong here
S3 server access logs record requests to S3, not KMS API calls for decryption.
✗
Create a CloudWatch Logs log group and stream KMS logs.
Why it's wrong here
CloudWatch Logs is a destination for logs, but KMS does not natively send logs there without CloudTrail.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which DVA-C02 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.
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable AWS CloudTrail with data events for the KMS key. — AWS CloudTrail logs all KMS API calls, including Decrypt, Encrypt, and GenerateDataKey. This provides the audit trail required. Option A is wrong because S3 server access logs do not include KMS operation details. Option C is wrong because CloudWatch Logs is for log storage, not for capturing API calls. Option D is wrong because AWS Config records resource configuration changes, not API calls.
What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?
Identify which DVA-C02 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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Question Discussion
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