- A
Use an S3 event notification to trigger a Lambda function that starts the pipeline.
Why wrong: This adds complexity and does not inherently restrict the pipeline's S3 access.
- B
Configure the S3 source action with a specific object key and use a bucket policy to allow only that key.
Why wrong: The source action's object key is for the artifact, not for filtering events.
- C
Configure the S3 source action with a CloudWatch event that has a prefix filter, and attach an IAM policy to the pipeline role that allows only the specific prefix.
The CloudWatch event with prefix filter ensures only objects in that prefix trigger the pipeline, and the IAM policy restricts access to that prefix.
- D
Use a separate S3 bucket for the pipeline's source artifacts.
Why wrong: This does not restrict access within the same bucket; the pipeline role would still have access to the entire bucket if not scoped.
Quick Answer
The answer is to configure the S3 source action with a CloudWatch event that has a prefix filter, and attach an IAM policy to the pipeline role that allows only the specific prefix. This combination works because the CloudWatch event ensures the pipeline is triggered exclusively by uploads to that prefix, while the IAM policy on the pipeline’s execution role enforces least privilege by denying access to objects outside the prefix. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of how to restrict CodePipeline S3 source to a specific prefix using both event filtering and IAM boundaries—a common trap is assuming a bucket policy alone is sufficient, but the pipeline role must also be scoped down. Remember the dual-lock principle: event filter for trigger control, IAM policy for access control. A useful memory tip is “trigger with event, lock with role.”
DOP-C02 Security and Compliance Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security and compliance. 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 is using AWS CodePipeline with an S3 source action. The pipeline must be triggered only when a new object is uploaded to a specific prefix, and the pipeline should not have access to objects outside that prefix. Which configuration meets these requirements?
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
Configure the S3 source action with a CloudWatch event that has a prefix filter, and attach an IAM policy to the pipeline role that allows only the specific prefix.
Using an S3 CloudWatch event with a prefix filter and a resource policy on the S3 bucket that restricts access to the prefix ensures both conditions. Option D is correct. Option A is wrong because a single S3 event without prefix filter would trigger on all objects. Option B is wrong because a bucket policy allowing only the prefix does not restrict the pipeline's IAM role. Option C is wrong because the S3 source action by default has access to the entire bucket.
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 an S3 event notification to trigger a Lambda function that starts the pipeline.
Why it's wrong here
This adds complexity and does not inherently restrict the pipeline's S3 access.
- ✗
Configure the S3 source action with a specific object key and use a bucket policy to allow only that key.
Why it's wrong here
The source action's object key is for the artifact, not for filtering events.
- ✓
Configure the S3 source action with a CloudWatch event that has a prefix filter, and attach an IAM policy to the pipeline role that allows only the specific prefix.
Why this is correct
The CloudWatch event with prefix filter ensures only objects in that prefix trigger the pipeline, and the IAM policy restricts access to that prefix.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use a separate S3 bucket for the pipeline's source artifacts.
Why it's wrong here
This does not restrict access within the same bucket; the pipeline role would still have access to the entire bucket if not scoped.
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 DOP-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.
- →
Security and Compliance — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Security and Compliance practice questions
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AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 study guide
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DOP-C02 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
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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 — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure the S3 source action with a CloudWatch event that has a prefix filter, and attach an IAM policy to the pipeline role that allows only the specific prefix. — Using an S3 CloudWatch event with a prefix filter and a resource policy on the S3 bucket that restricts access to the prefix ensures both conditions. Option D is correct. Option A is wrong because a single S3 event without prefix filter would trigger on all objects. Option B is wrong because a bucket policy allowing only the prefix does not restrict the pipeline's IAM role. Option C is wrong because the S3 source action by default has access to the entire bucket.
What should I do if I get this DOP-C02 question wrong?
Identify which DOP-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.
About these practice questions
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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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