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.
An application running on an EC2 instance needs to access a DynamoDB table. The instance is in a private subnet without internet access. Which method should be used to grant the instance access to DynamoDB securely?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a VPC endpoint for DynamoDB and attach an IAM role to the instance
Option D is correct because a VPC Gateway Endpoint for DynamoDB allows EC2 instances in a private subnet to access DynamoDB without traversing the internet or requiring a NAT gateway. By attaching an IAM role to the EC2 instance, the application can securely obtain temporary credentials via the instance metadata service, eliminating the need to store long-term credentials on the instance.
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.
✗
Store AWS credentials in a file on the instance and use them in the application
Why it's wrong here
Hardcoding credentials is insecure.
✗
Configure security group rules to allow outbound traffic to DynamoDB
Why it's wrong here
Security groups control network traffic but DynamoDB is accessed via API, not direct connection.
✗
Attach a NAT gateway to the private subnet and use IAM user credentials
Why it's wrong here
NATgateway is for outbound internet; IAM user credentials are long-term and insecure.
✓
Create a VPC endpoint for DynamoDB and attach an IAM role to the instance
Why this is correct
VPC endpoint enables private connectivity; IAM role provides temporary credentials.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse security groups with network routing, assuming that allowing outbound traffic to DynamoDB's IP range is sufficient, but without a VPC endpoint or internet gateway, the traffic has no route to reach the DynamoDB service.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A VPC Gateway Endpoint uses AWS PrivateLink to route traffic to DynamoDB over the AWS network without leaving the VPC, using prefix lists in the route table. The EC2 instance assumes an IAM role via the instance metadata service (IMDS) to obtain temporary security credentials, which are automatically rotated and scoped to the permissions defined in the role's policy. This architecture is commonly used in regulated environments where internet access is prohibited for compliance reasons.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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: Create a VPC endpoint for DynamoDB and attach an IAM role to the instance — Option D is correct because a VPC Gateway Endpoint for DynamoDB allows EC2 instances in a private subnet to access DynamoDB without traversing the internet or requiring a NAT gateway. By attaching an IAM role to the EC2 instance, the application can securely obtain temporary credentials via the instance metadata service, eliminating the need to store long-term credentials on the instance.
What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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