Quick Answer
The answer is Amazon Cognito, which is the correct choice because it provides user pools that handle authentication and can be directly integrated with an Application Load Balancer, allowing the ALB to authenticate users with Cognito before forwarding requests to the backend EC2 instance. This setup offloads the complex authentication logic from the web application, as the ALB itself validates tokens from the identity provider. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to authenticate users on ALB with Cognito, often appearing as a distractor where candidates mistakenly choose IAM for web app users—remember, IAM is for AWS API access, not for end-user login. A common trap is confusing CloudFront (a CDN) or Route 53 (DNS) with authentication services. Memory tip: think “ALB + Cognito = login at the edge,” meaning the load balancer handles the handshake so your app doesn’t have to.
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 configuring a load balancer in front of an EC2 instance running a web application. The application needs to authenticate users via an identity provider. Which AWS service should the developer use to handle authentication and authorization?
AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Why wrong: IAM is for AWS users, not application users.
Amazon Cognito
Cognito user pools provide authentication for web apps.
Amazon Route 53
Why wrong: Route 53 is DNS.
Amazon CloudFront
Why wrong: CloudFront is a CDN, not an auth service.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Amazon Cognito
Option B is correct because Amazon Cognito provides user pools for authentication and can be integrated with an Application Load Balancer. Option A is wrong because IAM is for AWS API access, not web app users. Option C is wrong because CloudFront is a CDN. Option D is wrong because Route 53 is DNS.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Why it's wrong here
IAM is for AWS users, not application users.
Amazon Cognito
Why this is correct
Cognito user pools provide authentication for web apps.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Amazon Route 53
Why it's wrong here
Route 53 is DNS.
Amazon CloudFront
Why it's wrong here
CloudFront is a CDN, not an auth service.
Common exam traps
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related DVA-C02 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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FAQ
Security — This question tests Security — Authentication checks who the user is..
The correct answer is: Amazon Cognito — Option B is correct because Amazon Cognito provides user pools for authentication and can be integrated with an Application Load Balancer. Option A is wrong because IAM is for AWS API access, not web app users. Option C is wrong because CloudFront is a CDN. Option D is wrong because Route 53 is DNS.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related DVA-C02 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Authentication checks who the user is.
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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.
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