- A
Wrap the resource in a nested stack.
Why wrong: Nested stacks do not protect individual resources from deletion.
- B
Enable termination protection on the CloudFormation stack.
Termination protection prevents accidental stack deletion.
- C
Set the UpdateReplacePolicy attribute to 'Retain' on the resource.
Why wrong: UpdateReplacePolicy only affects replacement during update, not deletion.
- D
Use a stack policy to deny delete actions on the resource.
Stack policy can control update and deletion permissions.
- E
Set the DeletionPolicy attribute to 'Retain' on the resource.
Retain prevents deletion during stack deletion.
Question 900 of 1,616
How to Prevent Accidental Deletion of CloudFormation Stack Resources
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of deployment. 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 company is deploying a critical application using AWS CloudFormation. The stack contains a resource that, if deleted accidentally, would cause data loss. The company wants to protect this resource from being deleted during stack updates or deletions. Which THREE strategies can achieve this? (Choose THREE.)
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
✓
Enable termination protection on the CloudFormation stack.
The correct strategies to protect a resource from accidental deletion during stack updates or deletions are: Enable termination protection on the CloudFormation stack (Option B) prevents the entire stack from being deleted, thus protecting all resources. Use a stack policy to deny delete actions on the resource (Option D) can explicitly deny updates or deletions to specific resources. Set the DeletionPolicy attribute to 'Retain' on the resource (Option E) ensures the resource is retained even if the stack is deleted. Option A is incorrect because wrapping a resource in a nested stack does not inherently protect it from deletion; the nested stack itself could be deleted. Option C is incorrect because UpdateReplacePolicy only affects behavior during stack updates that replace the resource, not during deletions; it is used to retain the old resource when a replacement occurs, but does not prevent deletion during stack deletion.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Wrap the resource in a nested stack.
Why it's wrong here
Nested stacks do not protect individual resources from deletion.
- ✓
Enable termination protection on the CloudFormation stack.
Why this is correct
Termination protection prevents accidental stack deletion.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Set the UpdateReplacePolicy attribute to 'Retain' on the resource.
Why it's wrong here
UpdateReplacePolicy only affects replacement during update, not deletion.
- ✓
Use a stack policy to deny delete actions on the resource.
Why this is correct
Stack policy can control update and deletion permissions.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✓
Set the DeletionPolicy attribute to 'Retain' on the resource.
Why this is correct
Retain prevents deletion during stack deletion.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
- The first matching ACL entry is used.
- There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
- Check inbound versus outbound direction.
- Read the ACL from top to bottom.
- Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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. ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement. 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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related DVA-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DVA-C02 question test?
Deployment — This question tests Deployment — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable termination protection on the CloudFormation stack. — The correct strategies to protect a resource from accidental deletion during stack updates or deletions are: Enable termination protection on the CloudFormation stack (Option B) prevents the entire stack from being deleted, thus protecting all resources. Use a stack policy to deny delete actions on the resource (Option D) can explicitly deny updates or deletions to specific resources. Set the DeletionPolicy attribute to 'Retain' on the resource (Option E) ensures the resource is retained even if the stack is deleted. Option A is incorrect because wrapping a resource in a nested stack does not inherently protect it from deletion; the nested stack itself could be deleted. Option C is incorrect because UpdateReplacePolicy only affects behavior during stack updates that replace the resource, not during deletions; it is used to retain the old resource when a replacement occurs, but does not prevent deletion during stack deletion.
What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related DVA-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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