The answer is using IAM roles for applications that run on EC2 instances and enabling MFA on the AWS account. These are best practices for securing your AWS account because IAM roles eliminate the need to hardcode long-term credentials on EC2, instead granting temporary permissions via the instance metadata service, while MFA adds a critical second layer of authentication to protect against compromised passwords. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this concept tests your understanding of the shared responsibility model and least privilege—a common trap is confusing the root user’s capabilities with daily operational tasks, as the root account should never be used for routine work. Remember the mnemonic “RAMP” for securing your account: Roles, Authentication (MFA), Monitoring (CloudTrail), and Policies (complexity).
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.
Which TWO are best practices for securing an AWS account? (Choose 2)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for privileged users
Options A and B are best practices: using IAM roles and enabling MFA. Option C is not a best practice (root user should not be used for daily tasks). Option D is not a best practice (password policies should enforce complexity). Option E is not a best practice (CloudTrail should be enabled).
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.
✗
Disable AWS CloudTrail to reduce costs
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail is essential for auditing.
✗
Disable password rotation to avoid user inconvenience
Why it's wrong here
Password rotation is a security best practice.
✗
Use the root user for daily administrative tasks
Why it's wrong here
Root user should be reserved for limited tasks.
✓
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for privileged users
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✓
Use IAM roles for applications that run on EC2 instances
Why this is correct
IAM roles provide temporary credentials and are secure.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" 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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
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.
Security — This question tests Security — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for privileged users — Options A and B are best practices: using IAM roles and enabling MFA. Option C is not a best practice (root user should not be used for daily tasks). Option D is not a best practice (password policies should enforce complexity). Option E is not a best practice (CloudTrail should be enabled).
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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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