The answer is AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store with a SecureString parameter, retrieved using the task IAM role. This solution meets all requirements because Parameter Store integrates with AWS KMS to encrypt sensitive configuration data at rest, and the retrieval call over HTTPS ensures encryption in transit, while the ECS task role provides least-privilege access without embedding secrets in the container. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of where to store configuration versus secrets—Parameter Store is purpose-built for configuration data like database URLs or API endpoints, whereas Secrets Manager is designed for rotating secrets like passwords. A common trap is choosing environment variables, which can leak in plaintext in task definitions or logs, or selecting S3, which requires extra steps to enforce transit encryption. Memory tip: think "Config in Parameter Store, Secrets in Secrets Manager"—if it’s configuration data, not a rotating secret, Parameter Store is the lean, cost-effective choice.
DVA-C02 Deployment Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of deployment. 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.
A company deploys a containerized application on Amazon ECS with Fargate launch type. The application needs to read sensitive configuration data at startup. The company requires that the data be encrypted at rest and in transit, and that the application use least-privilege permissions. Which solution meets these requirements?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "least"
Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Store the configuration data in AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store with a SecureString parameter and retrieve it using the task IAM role
Option D is correct because AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store supports encryption via KMS and can be accessed from ECS tasks using IAM roles. Option A is incorrect because environment variables may be visible in plaintext. Option B is incorrect because Secrets Manager is overkill for configuration data and more expensive. Option C is incorrect because S3 does not enforce transit encryption by default and requires additional setup.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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 the configuration data in AWS Secrets Manager and retrieve it at startup using the Secrets Manager API
Why it's wrong here
Secrets Manager is designed for secrets, not general configuration.
✗
Store the configuration data in an Amazon S3 bucket and use a pre-signed URL to download it at startup
Why it's wrong here
S3 does not natively encrypt in transit.
✗
Store the configuration data in environment variables within the ECS task definition
Store the configuration data in AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store with a SecureString parameter and retrieve it using the task IAM role
Why this is correct
Parameter Store supports encryption and least-privilege access.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related DVA-C02 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Deployment — This question tests Deployment — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Store the configuration data in AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store with a SecureString parameter and retrieve it using the task IAM role — Option D is correct because AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store supports encryption via KMS and can be accessed from ECS tasks using IAM roles. Option A is incorrect because environment variables may be visible in plaintext. Option B is incorrect because Secrets Manager is overkill for configuration data and more expensive. Option C is incorrect because S3 does not enforce transit encryption by default and requires additional setup.
What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related DVA-C02 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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