DVA-C02 Development with AWS Services Practice Question
A developer needs to store configuration parameters securely for a Lambda function. The parameters include database credentials and API keys. Which AWS service should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store (Option A) with Secrets Manager because both can store strings, but Parameter Store lacks automatic rotation and secret-specific lifecycle management, making it unsuitable for credentials that require regular rotation as per security best practices.
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
✓
AWS Secrets Manager
AWS Secrets Manager is the correct choice because it is purpose-built for securely storing, rotating, and managing sensitive configuration parameters such as database credentials and API keys throughout their lifecycle. It offers automatic rotation of secrets with built-in integration for Amazon RDS, Redshift, and DocumentDB, and enforces fine-grained access control via IAM policies. This makes it the most suitable service for the developer's requirement of securely storing and managing database credentials and API keys for a Lambda function.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store
Why it's wrong here
Parameter Store holds configuration and SecureString secrets, but standard parameters cap at 4 KB and lack native automatic rotation; Secrets Manager rotates database credentials and API keys natively. Parameter Store suits non-rotating configuration values, whereas the stem's credential rotation requirement points elsewhere.
- ✓
AWS Secrets Manager
Why this is correct
AWS Secrets Manager stores database credentials and API keys as encrypted secrets, with native rotation via Lambda and fine-grained IAM access control. This directly satisfies the stem's requirement to store configuration parameters securely, unlike plaintext environment variables or unencrypted Parameter Store strings.
- ✗
Amazon DynamoDB with encryption
Why it's wrong here
DynamoDB stores application data as items, not configuration secrets, so credentials would sit in a table rather than a purpose-built secret store with rotation and versioning. It is tempting because DynamoDB encryption at rest protects stored data, which suits session or application state, not Lambda configuration retrieval.
- ✗
Amazon S3 with server-side encryption
Why it's wrong here
S3 with server-side encryption protects objects at rest but offers no secret versioning, rotation or fine-grained per-secret access policies, so Lambda would fetch credentials from an object store. S3 suits static asset or log storage, not dynamic secret retrieval with lifecycle management.
Quick reference
Cloud Service Model Comparison
| Model | You Manage | Provider Manages | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| IaaS | OS, runtime, apps, data | Hardware, hypervisor, networking | EC2, Azure VMs, GCP Compute Engine |
| PaaS | Apps and data | OS, runtime, middleware, hardware | Elastic Beanstalk, Azure App Service |
| SaaS | Data and settings only | Everything else | Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Workday |
| FaaS / Serverless | Function code only | Infra, scaling, runtime | Lambda, Azure Functions, Cloud Run |
| CaaS | Containers and apps | Kubernetes, OS, hardware | EKS, AKS, GKE |
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This DVA-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DVA-C02 exam.