- A
Create an IAM execution role for the Lambda function with permissions to read from the source bucket and write to the destination bucket.
Lambda functions require an execution role to access AWS resources.
- B
Configure a bucket policy on the destination S3 bucket that grants the Lambda execution role s3:PutObject permission.
Bucket policies can grant cross-account or cross-service access.
- C
Store the AWS access key and secret key in the Lambda environment variables.
Why wrong: Storing credentials in code is insecure; use execution roles instead.
- D
Assign an IAM user to the Lambda function and embed the user's access key in the function code.
Why wrong: Lambda does not use IAM users; it uses execution roles.
- E
Attach an IAM instance profile to the Lambda function.
Why wrong: Instance profiles are for EC2 instances, not Lambda.
Lambda S3 Access
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of development with aws services. 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 building a serverless application using AWS Lambda to process images uploaded to an S3 bucket. The Lambda function needs to resize each image and store the result in another S3 bucket. Which TWO actions should the developer take to ensure the function can access the S3 buckets securely?
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 an IAM execution role for the Lambda function with permissions to read from the source bucket and write to the destination bucket.
Option A is correct because Lambda functions require an IAM execution role that grants permissions to access other AWS services. By creating a role with policies that allow s3:GetObject on the source bucket and s3:PutObject on the destination bucket, the function can securely read and write images without embedding long-term credentials.
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 an IAM execution role for the Lambda function with permissions to read from the source bucket and write to the destination bucket.
Why this is correct
Lambda functions require an execution role to access AWS resources.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Configure a bucket policy on the destination S3 bucket that grants the Lambda execution role s3:PutObject permission.
Why this is correct
Bucket policies can grant cross-account or cross-service access.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Store the AWS access key and secret key in the Lambda environment variables.
Why it's wrong here
Storing credentials in code is insecure; use execution roles instead.
- ✗
Assign an IAM user to the Lambda function and embed the user's access key in the function code.
Why it's wrong here
Lambda does not use IAM users; it uses execution roles.
- ✗
Attach an IAM instance profile to the Lambda function.
Why it's wrong here
Instance profiles are for EC2 instances, not Lambda.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often think they need to embed static credentials (access keys) in the function code or environment variables, but the AWS Well-Architected Framework mandates using IAM roles for temporary, least-privilege credentials in serverless applications.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Lambda execution roles are assumed via the AWS Security Token Service (STS) to obtain temporary credentials that are automatically rotated and scoped to the permissions defined in the role's policies. This avoids the need for long-lived access keys and reduces the risk of credential leakage. In a real-world scenario, you might also need to add a bucket policy on the source bucket to explicitly allow the Lambda execution role if the bucket is in a different account or has a default deny-all policy.
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 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Development with AWS Services — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Development with AWS Services 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
Related DVA-C02 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Development with AWS Services practice questions
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to Development with AWS Services.
Security practice questions
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to Security.
Deployment practice questions
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to Deployment.
Troubleshooting and Optimization practice questions
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to Troubleshooting and Optimization.
DVA-C02 fundamentals practice questions
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to DVA-C02 fundamentals.
DVA-C02 scenario practice questions
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to DVA-C02 scenario.
DVA-C02 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise DVA-C02 questions linked to DVA-C02 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free DVA-C02 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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 an IAM execution role for the Lambda function with permissions to read from the source bucket and write to the destination bucket. — Option A is correct because Lambda functions require an IAM execution role that grants permissions to access other AWS services. By creating a role with policies that allow s3:GetObject on the source bucket and s3:PutObject on the destination bucket, the function can securely read and write images without embedding long-term credentials.
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.
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 →
Keep practising
More DVA-C02 practice questions
- A developer is troubleshooting an AWS Lambda function that is triggered by an S3 event. The function occasionally fails…
- A developer needs to call AWS APIs from application code running on EC2. Which credential source should the AWS SDK use…
- A developer needs to allow an IAM user in a different AWS account to assume a role in the developer's account. The role…
- A developer needs to grant an IAM role in Account B read-only access to objects in an S3 bucket in Account A. The bucket…
- An API Gateway HTTP API should allow access only to users authenticated by an external OIDC provider. Which authorizer t…
- A developer needs to allow an EC2 instance to read from a DynamoDB table. Which is the best practice to grant permission…
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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.