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 designing a system that uses AWS KMS to encrypt data. Which of the following are valid ways to grant a user permission to decrypt data using a KMS key? (Select TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Attach an IAM policy to the user that allows kms:Decrypt, and ensure the key policy allows the user's account.
Options A and C are correct. A key policy can grant decrypt permission to an IAM role, and an IAM policy with kms:Decrypt can grant access if the key policy allows. Option B is wrong because S3 bucket policies do not grant KMS decrypt. Option D is wrong because KMS does not have resource-based policies besides key policies. Option E is wrong because KMS grants are for cross-account, not for IAM roles in the same account.
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.
✗
Use a resource-based policy on the KMS key that grants access to the user.
Why it's wrong here
KMS keys only use key policies, not resource-based policies.
✗
Create a KMS grant that allows the user to decrypt the key.
Why it's wrong here
KMS grants are for cross-account access, not for users in the same account.
✓
Attach an IAM policy to the user that allows kms:Decrypt, and ensure the key policy allows the user's account.
Why this is correct
IAM policies can grant KMS actions if the key policy allows.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Add a statement in the S3 bucket policy that allows kms:Decrypt for the user.
Why it's wrong here
S3 bucket policies cannot grant KMS actions.
✓
Add a statement in the key policy that allows the IAM role to perform kms:Decrypt.
Why this is correct
Key policies can grant access to IAM roles.
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 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: Attach an IAM policy to the user that allows kms:Decrypt, and ensure the key policy allows the user's account. — Options A and C are correct. A key policy can grant decrypt permission to an IAM role, and an IAM policy with kms:Decrypt can grant access if the key policy allows. Option B is wrong because S3 bucket policies do not grant KMS decrypt. Option D is wrong because KMS does not have resource-based policies besides key policies. Option E is wrong because KMS grants are for cross-account, not for IAM roles in the same account.
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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