Quick Answer
The answer is iam:UpdateAccessKey, as this is the specific IAM policy action that enables a user to change the status or rotate their own access keys. While iam:CreateAccessKey generates a new key pair, rotation requires the ability to deactivate and then update the existing key’s status to inactive before creating a new one—a process that hinges on the UpdateAccessKey action to mark the old key as Inactive. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of least-privilege permissions for user self-management, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly choose iam:CreateAccessKey alone, forgetting that rotation involves updating the key’s state. A common memory tip is to think of “update” as the action that changes a key’s lifecycle status, while “create” only adds a new key without managing the old one. Remember: to rotate, you must update first.
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 wants to allow an IAM user to rotate their own access keys. Which IAM policy action should be included?
iam:UpdateAccessKey
Allows updating (activating/deactivating) keys.
iam:GetAccessKeyLastUsed
Why wrong: Read-only, does not allow rotation.
iam:DeleteAccessKey
Why wrong: Deletes keys, not rotation.
iam:CreateAccessKey
Why wrong: Only creates new keys, does not allow rotation.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
iam:UpdateAccessKey
Option B is correct because iam:UpdateAccessKey allows the user to update their own access keys. Option A is wrong because iam:CreateAccessKey alone does not allow rotation without update. Option C is wrong because iam:DeleteAccessKey deletes keys. Option D is wrong because iam:GetAccessKeyLastUsed is read-only.
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.
iam:UpdateAccessKey
Why this is correct
Allows updating (activating/deactivating) keys.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
iam:GetAccessKeyLastUsed
Why it's wrong here
Read-only, does not allow rotation.
iam:DeleteAccessKey
Why it's wrong here
Deletes keys, not rotation.
iam:CreateAccessKey
Why it's wrong here
Only creates new keys, does not allow rotation.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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 — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Security practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All DVA-C02 questions
1,616 questions across all exam domains
AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
DVA-C02 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to Development with AWS Services.
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to Security.
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to Deployment.
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to Troubleshooting and Optimization.
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to DVA-C02 fundamentals.
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to DVA-C02 scenario.
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to DVA-C02 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: iam:UpdateAccessKey — Option B is correct because iam:UpdateAccessKey allows the user to update their own access keys. Option A is wrong because iam:CreateAccessKey alone does not allow rotation without update. Option C is wrong because iam:DeleteAccessKey deletes keys. Option D is wrong because iam:GetAccessKeyLastUsed is read-only.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.