- A
Create a resource-based policy on the DynamoDB table that allows access from the Lambda execution role.
This step creates a resource-based policy on the DynamoDB table that specifies the Lambda execution role as a principal, allowing the role to perform actions on the table. This is a key part of establishing cross-account access.
- B
Configure the Lambda function to assume an IAM role in the DynamoDB account.
This step involves configuring the Lambda function to assume an IAM role in the DynamoDB account. The Lambda execution role must have permission to call sts:AssumeRole on the cross-account role, and that role must have a trust policy allowing the Lambda execution role. This step is necessary to obtain temporary credentials that are valid in the DynamoDB account.
- C
Add a trust policy to the Lambda execution role allowing the DynamoDB account to access it.
Why wrong: Adding a trust policy to the Lambda execution role would allow other principals to assume that role, which is not needed. The trust policy belongs on the role in the DynamoDB account, not on the Lambda execution role.
- D
Add a bucket policy to the DynamoDB table to allow cross-account access.
Why wrong: Bucket policies are for Amazon S3 buckets, not DynamoDB tables. DynamoDB uses resource-based policies for cross-account access, not bucket policies.
- E
In the Lambda account, attach an IAM policy to the Lambda execution role that allows access to the DynamoDB table.
This step attaches an IAM policy to the Lambda execution role that grants it permission to assume the cross-account role (e.g., dynamodb:GetItem) and also to perform sts:AssumeRole on the role in the DynamoDB account.
Cross-Account DynamoDB Access from Lambda
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of development with aws services. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Which THREE steps are required to enable cross-account access to a DynamoDB table from a Lambda function in another AWS account?
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
Create a resource-based policy on the DynamoDB table that allows access from the Lambda execution role.
To enable cross-account access to a DynamoDB table from a Lambda function in another account, three steps are required. First, create a resource-based policy on the DynamoDB table that allows the Lambda execution role ARN from the other account to perform the required actions (Option A). Second, in the Lambda account, attach an IAM policy to the Lambda execution role that grants permissions to access the DynamoDB table (Option E). However, these two steps alone are not sufficient because the Lambda function needs to be able to assume a role in the DynamoDB account that has permissions on the table. Therefore, the third step is to configure the Lambda function to assume an IAM role in the DynamoDB account (Option B). This involves creating an IAM role in the DynamoDB account with a trust policy that allows the Lambda execution role to assume it, and then having the Lambda function use the AWS STS AssumeRole API. Option C is incorrect because adding a trust policy to the Lambda execution role does not grant access to the DynamoDB table; the trust policy is on the role in the DynamoDB account. Option D is incorrect because bucket policies are for S3 buckets, not DynamoDB tables.
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.
- ✓
Create a resource-based policy on the DynamoDB table that allows access from the Lambda execution role.
Why this is correct
This step creates a resource-based policy on the DynamoDB table that specifies the Lambda execution role as a principal, allowing the role to perform actions on the table. This is a key part of establishing cross-account access.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Configure the Lambda function to assume an IAM role in the DynamoDB account.
Why this is correct
This step involves configuring the Lambda function to assume an IAM role in the DynamoDB account. The Lambda execution role must have permission to call sts:AssumeRole on the cross-account role, and that role must have a trust policy allowing the Lambda execution role. This step is necessary to obtain temporary credentials that are valid in the DynamoDB account.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Add a trust policy to the Lambda execution role allowing the DynamoDB account to access it.
Why it's wrong here
Adding a trust policy to the Lambda execution role would allow other principals to assume that role, which is not needed. The trust policy belongs on the role in the DynamoDB account, not on the Lambda execution role.
- ✗
Add a bucket policy to the DynamoDB table to allow cross-account access.
Why it's wrong here
Bucket policies are for Amazon S3 buckets, not DynamoDB tables. DynamoDB uses resource-based policies for cross-account access, not bucket policies.
- ✓
In the Lambda account, attach an IAM policy to the Lambda execution role that allows access to the DynamoDB table.
Why this is correct
This step attaches an IAM policy to the Lambda execution role that grants it permission to assume the cross-account role (e.g., dynamodb:GetItem) and also to perform sts:AssumeRole on the role in the DynamoDB account.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DVA-C02 question test?
Development with AWS Services — This question tests Development with AWS Services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a resource-based policy on the DynamoDB table that allows access from the Lambda execution role. — To enable cross-account access to a DynamoDB table from a Lambda function in another account, three steps are required. First, create a resource-based policy on the DynamoDB table that allows the Lambda execution role ARN from the other account to perform the required actions (Option A). Second, in the Lambda account, attach an IAM policy to the Lambda execution role that grants permissions to access the DynamoDB table (Option E). However, these two steps alone are not sufficient because the Lambda function needs to be able to assume a role in the DynamoDB account that has permissions on the table. Therefore, the third step is to configure the Lambda function to assume an IAM role in the DynamoDB account (Option B). This involves creating an IAM role in the DynamoDB account with a trust policy that allows the Lambda execution role to assume it, and then having the Lambda function use the AWS STS AssumeRole API. Option C is incorrect because adding a trust policy to the Lambda execution role does not grant access to the DynamoDB table; the trust policy is on the role in the DynamoDB account. Option D is incorrect because bucket policies are for S3 buckets, not DynamoDB tables.
What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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