The answer is to attach an IAM execution role with CloudWatch Logs permissions. This is correct because AWS Lambda never runs with static credentials; instead, it assumes an IAM role at invocation to obtain temporary credentials for accessing other services. To grant lambda permissions to write to cloudwatch logs via execution role, you must include a policy that allows the specific actions `logs:CreateLogGroup`, `logs:CreateLogStream`, and `logs:PutLogEvents` on the relevant log group and stream resources. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this concept frequently appears in scenario-based questions where a Lambda function fails to log output, testing your understanding that the execution role—not the function code or VPC configuration—is the correct mechanism for granting service permissions. A common trap is assuming that attaching a policy directly to the Lambda function or using the function’s resource-based policy will work; instead, remember that Lambda’s identity is its execution role. Memory tip: think “Lambda logs need three Ls”—CreateLogGroup, CreateLogStream, and PutLogEvents.
DVA-C02 Security Practice Question
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 building a serverless application using AWS Lambda. The Lambda function needs to write logs to CloudWatch Logs. What is the recommended way to grant the necessary permissions?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Attach an IAM execution role with CloudWatch Logs permissions.
Option B is correct because AWS Lambda uses an IAM execution role to obtain temporary credentials for accessing other AWS services. To allow a Lambda function to write logs to CloudWatch Logs, you must attach an IAM role with a policy that includes permissions for the `logs:CreateLogGroup`, `logs:CreateLogStream`, and `logs:PutLogEvents` actions. This is the standard and recommended security practice for granting permissions to Lambda functions.
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.
✗
Use AWS KMS to encrypt the log data and grant permissions.
Why it's wrong here
KMS does not grant permissions to write logs.
✓
Attach an IAM execution role with CloudWatch Logs permissions.
Why this is correct
Lambda assumes this role to access AWS services.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Create a resource-based policy on the Lambda function.
Why it's wrong here
Resource-based policies are for other services to invoke the function, not for granting the function permissions.
✗
Store AWS access keys in environment variables.
Why it's wrong here
Access keys are not recommended; they can be exposed.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse resource-based policies (which control who can invoke the function) with execution roles (which control what the function can do), leading them to incorrectly select option C.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, when a Lambda function is invoked, the Lambda service assumes the execution role and obtains temporary security credentials from AWS STS. These credentials are then used to sign API calls to CloudWatch Logs. The IAM policy must explicitly allow the `logs:CreateLogGroup`, `logs:CreateLogStream`, and `logs:PutLogEvents` actions on the specific log group and stream resources. A common subtlety is that if the log group does not exist, the Lambda runtime will attempt to create it automatically, which requires the `logs:CreateLogGroup` permission at the account or region level.
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: Attach an IAM execution role with CloudWatch Logs permissions. — Option B is correct because AWS Lambda uses an IAM execution role to obtain temporary credentials for accessing other AWS services. To allow a Lambda function to write logs to CloudWatch Logs, you must attach an IAM role with a policy that includes permissions for the `logs:CreateLogGroup`, `logs:CreateLogStream`, and `logs:PutLogEvents` actions. This is the standard and recommended security practice for granting permissions to Lambda functions.
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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