The answer is to configure a Cognito Authorizer on the API Gateway method. This is correct because API Gateway’s Cognito Authorizer natively validates the JSON Web Token (JWT) issued by a specific Cognito User Pool, allowing only authenticated users to invoke the backend Lambda function. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to secure serverless APIs without writing custom Lambda authorizers—a common trap is confusing Cognito Authorizers with Lambda-based custom authorizers or IAM authorization. The key distinction is that a Cognito Authorizer handles token validation entirely within API Gateway, reducing latency and complexity. For the exam, remember that if the question mentions a specific user pool and token validation, the Cognito Authorizer is the direct, managed solution. Memory tip: “Cognito Authorizer for the User Pool—no Lambda, just token validation at the gateway.”
DVA-C02 Security Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of 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 is building a serverless application using API Gateway and Lambda. The API must be accessed only by authenticated users from a specific AWS Cognito User Pool. Which method should be used?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure a Cognito Authorizer on the API Gateway method.
API Gateway can use a Cognito Authorizer to validate tokens from a specific user pool.
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.
✗
Create a Lambda authorizer that checks the token against Cognito.
Why it's wrong here
Possible but not the simplest; Cognito Authorizer is built-in.
✗
Use an IAM authorizer with a policy that allows only Cognito roles.
Why it's wrong here
IAM authorizer is for IAM credentials, not Cognito tokens.
✗
Use a resource policy on API Gateway to restrict by source IP.
Why it's wrong here
Does not authenticate users.
✓
Configure a Cognito Authorizer on the API Gateway method.
Why this is correct
Directly integrates with Cognito User Pools.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 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: Configure a Cognito Authorizer on the API Gateway method. — API Gateway can use a Cognito Authorizer to validate tokens from a specific user pool.
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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