- A
Use a customer-managed KMS key with a cross-account key policy to encrypt artifacts.
KMS cross-account key policies allow encryption across accounts.
- B
Store database credentials in AWS Secrets Manager and retrieve them in CodeBuild using the secrets manager action.
Secrets Manager provides secure storage and retrieval.
- C
Store database credentials in AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store and retrieve them in CodeBuild.
Why wrong: Secrets Manager is more secure for credentials, with automatic rotation.
- D
Use AWS CodeCommit as the source repository with pull request approval rules.
Why wrong: Source repository choice does not directly address credentials or cross-account access.
- E
Configure CodePipeline to assume an IAM role in the target account using a trust policy.
Cross-account roles provide secure access without hardcoded credentials.
DOP-C02 Security and Compliance Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security and compliance. 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 company is designing a secure CI/CD pipeline using AWS CodePipeline, CodeBuild, and CodeDeploy. The pipeline must deploy to an EC2 Auto Scaling group across multiple AWS accounts. The security requirements include: (1) no hardcoded credentials, (2) least privilege for cross-account access, (3) encrypted artifacts. Which THREE steps should the DevOps engineer implement? (Choose THREE.)
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 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 a customer-managed KMS key with a cross-account key policy to encrypt artifacts.
Option A uses cross-account roles (correct). Option B uses KMS cross-account key (correct). Option D integrates CodeBuild with Secrets Manager (correct). Option C (SSM parameter) is possible but Secrets Manager is more appropriate for credentials. Option E (CodeCommit) is not required.
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.
- ✓
Use a customer-managed KMS key with a cross-account key policy to encrypt artifacts.
Why this is correct
KMS cross-account key policies allow encryption across accounts.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✓
Store database credentials in AWS Secrets Manager and retrieve them in CodeBuild using the secrets manager action.
Why this is correct
Secrets Manager provides secure storage and retrieval.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
Store database credentials in AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store and retrieve them in CodeBuild.
Why it's wrong here
Secrets Manager is more secure for credentials, with automatic rotation.
- ✗
Use AWS CodeCommit as the source repository with pull request approval rules.
Why it's wrong here
Source repository choice does not directly address credentials or cross-account access.
- ✓
Configure CodePipeline to assume an IAM role in the target account using a trust policy.
Why this is correct
Cross-account roles provide secure access without hardcoded credentials.
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 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.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related DOP-C02 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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Security and Compliance — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DOP-C02 question test?
Security and Compliance — This question tests Security and Compliance — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a customer-managed KMS key with a cross-account key policy to encrypt artifacts. — Option A uses cross-account roles (correct). Option B uses KMS cross-account key (correct). Option D integrates CodeBuild with Secrets Manager (correct). Option C (SSM parameter) is possible but Secrets Manager is more appropriate for credentials. Option E (CodeCommit) is not required.
What should I do if I get this DOP-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 DOP-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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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This DOP-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 DOP-C02 exam.
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