- A
Use AWS Secrets Manager to store and retrieve the secret at runtime.
Secrets Manager encrypts secrets and allows fine-grained access control and automatic rotation.
- B
Upload the secret to an S3 bucket and read it from the Lambda function.
Why wrong: S3 does not provide built-in secret rotation or automatic encryption at rest by default.
- C
Use AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store with a SecureString parameter.
Parameter Store with SecureString encrypts the value and integrates with KMS for access control.
- D
Store the secret as an environment variable in the Lambda function.
Why wrong: Environment variables are not encrypted by default and can be viewed in the console.
- E
Hardcode the secret in the Lambda function code.
Why wrong: Hardcoding secrets is a security risk and makes rotation difficult.
DVA-C02 Development with AWS Services Practice Question
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.
Which TWO actions should a developer take to securely store secrets (e.g., database passwords) used by a Lambda function?
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
Use AWS Secrets Manager to store and retrieve the secret at runtime.
Options B and D are correct. AWS Secrets Manager can automatically rotate secrets, and the Lambda function retrieves them at runtime via API. Option A is wrong because environment variables are visible in the console and logs. Option C is wrong because storing secrets in source code is insecure. Option E is wrong because S3 is not designed for secret management and would require encryption and access control.
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 Secrets Manager to store and retrieve the secret at runtime.
Why this is correct
Secrets Manager encrypts secrets and allows fine-grained access control and automatic rotation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Upload the secret to an S3 bucket and read it from the Lambda function.
Why it's wrong here
S3 does not provide built-in secret rotation or automatic encryption at rest by default.
- ✓
Use AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store with a SecureString parameter.
Why this is correct
Parameter Store with SecureString encrypts the value and integrates with KMS for access control.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Store the secret as an environment variable in the Lambda function.
Why it's wrong here
Environment variables are not encrypted by default and can be viewed in the console.
- ✗
Hardcode the secret in the Lambda function code.
Why it's wrong here
Hardcoding secrets is a security risk and makes rotation difficult.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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.
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Development with AWS Services — study guide chapter
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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: Use AWS Secrets Manager to store and retrieve the secret at runtime. — Options B and D are correct. AWS Secrets Manager can automatically rotate secrets, and the Lambda function retrieves them at runtime via API. Option A is wrong because environment variables are visible in the console and logs. Option C is wrong because storing secrets in source code is insecure. Option E is wrong because S3 is not designed for secret management and would require encryption and access control.
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
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.
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