Quick Answer
The answer is that a CloudTrail CreateKey event represents the creation of a new AWS KMS customer master key (CMK). This is correct because the `CreateKey` API call is the only operation that generates a new, standalone CMK within your account, distinct from key rotation or granting permissions. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this tests your ability to distinguish between KMS lifecycle events in CloudTrail logs, a common scenario in security and auditing questions. A frequent trap is confusing `CreateKey` with `RotateKey` (which rotates an existing key’s backing material) or `CreateGrant` (which adds permissions to an existing key). Remember, if you see `CreateKey`, a brand new CMK was born—not a rotation or a grant. A handy memory tip: “CreateKey = Create Master Key; anything else is just modifying or using an existing one.”
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 runs a CloudTrail lookup command and sees a CreateKey event. What does this event represent?
An existing KMS key was rotated.
Why wrong: The event name is CreateKey, not RotateKey.
A new database encryption key was created.
Why wrong: The event is for KMS, not a database.
A new KMS customer master key was created.
CreateKey is the API to create a CMK.
A new service-linked key was created.
Why wrong: Service-linked keys are created by the service, not via CreateKey API.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
A new KMS customer master key was created.
The `CreateKey` event in AWS CloudTrail indicates that a new KMS customer master key (CMK) was created. This is the only operation that generates a `CreateKey` event; key rotation, database encryption key creation, and service-linked key creation use different API calls (e.g., `RotateKey`, `CreateGrant`, or `CreateKey` with a different service principal).
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
An existing KMS key was rotated.
Why it's wrong here
The event name is CreateKey, not RotateKey.
A new database encryption key was created.
Why it's wrong here
The event is for KMS, not a database.
A new KMS customer master key was created.
Why this is correct
CreateKey is the API to create a CMK.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
A new service-linked key was created.
Why it's wrong here
Service-linked keys are created by the service, not via CreateKey API.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates assume `CreateKey` only applies to CMKs, but AWS services also use this API for service-linked keys; however, the exam expects you to recognize that the event name is generic and the context (e.g., `userIdentity` or `requestParameters`) determines the key type.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, the `CreateKey` API call generates a symmetric or asymmetric CMK with a unique key ID and ARN, and the event is logged in CloudTrail with details like `keyId`, `keySpec`, and `keyUsage`. A real-world scenario: if you see a `CreateKey` event from an IAM user, it means they explicitly called `aws kms create-key`; if it's from a service like AWS Lambda, it might be creating a CMK for encryption, but the event name remains the same. The trap is that candidates confuse the event name with the specific key type or operation.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
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FAQ
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: A new KMS customer master key was created. — The `CreateKey` event in AWS CloudTrail indicates that a new KMS customer master key (CMK) was created. This is the only operation that generates a `CreateKey` event; key rotation, database encryption key creation, and service-linked key creation use different API calls (e.g., `RotateKey`, `CreateGrant`, or `CreateKey` with a different service principal).
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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.
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