The answer is that the Lambda IAM policy for CloudWatch Logs is missing the `logs:CreateLogGroup` and `logs:CreateLogStream` permissions. This is the issue because while the policy includes `logs:PutLogEvents` to write log data, it fails to grant the prerequisite actions needed to initialize the log stream and log group in CloudWatch Logs. Without these create permissions, the Lambda function cannot establish the destination for its logs, even though it has the write action. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this is a classic trap where candidates see `PutLogEvents` and assume all logging permissions are covered, but AWS requires explicit create permissions for the initial setup. A reliable memory tip is "Create before you Put" — think of it as needing to build the bucket before you can fill it with water.
DOP-C02 Monitoring and Logging Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of monitoring and logging. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 Lambda function is unable to write logs to CloudWatch Logs. The IAM policy attached to the function's execution role is shown above. What is the issue?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The policy is missing the 'logs:CreateLogGroup' and 'logs:CreateLogStream' actions.
Option B is correct because the policy grants permission to put log events but does not include the necessary permissions to create log groups and log streams. The Lambda function needs 'logs:CreateLogGroup' and 'logs:CreateLogStream' actions. Option A is wrong because the resource ARN is valid. Option C is wrong because the region matches. Option D is wrong because the action 'logs:PutLogEvents' is correct for writing logs.
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.
✗
The resource ARN is incorrect; it should include the log stream name.
Why it's wrong here
The ARN can include a wildcard for the log stream.
✗
The region in the ARN does not match the Lambda function's region.
Why it's wrong here
The region is specified as us-east-1.
✗
The action should be 'logs:PutLogEvents' but the resource is too restrictive.
Why it's wrong here
The action is correct; the issue is missing create permissions.
✓
The policy is missing the 'logs:CreateLogGroup' and 'logs:CreateLogStream' actions.
Why this is correct
Lambda needs to create the log group and stream before writing events.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 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.
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.
Monitoring and Logging — This question tests Monitoring and Logging — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The policy is missing the 'logs:CreateLogGroup' and 'logs:CreateLogStream' actions. — Option B is correct because the policy grants permission to put log events but does not include the necessary permissions to create log groups and log streams. The Lambda function needs 'logs:CreateLogGroup' and 'logs:CreateLogStream' actions. Option A is wrong because the resource ARN is valid. Option C is wrong because the region matches. Option D is wrong because the action 'logs:PutLogEvents' is correct for writing logs.
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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A DevOps engineer is troubleshooting why an AWS Lambda function is not writing logs to the CloudWatch Logs log group 'MyAppLogs'. The Lambda function's execution role includes the IAM policy shown in the exhibit. What is the MOST likely reason the logs are not being written?
hard
A.The log group is in a different AWS Region.
✓ B.The policy does not grant permission to create the log group or put log events to the log group itself.
C.The policy has an incorrect action name.
D.The policy is missing the 'logs:CreateLogGroup' action.
Why B: Option B is correct. The policy allows actions on log streams within the log group, but it does not allow creating the log group itself (logs:CreateLogGroup) or putting events to the log group resource. The resource ARN should be the log group ARN without the wildcard for log streams. Option A is incorrect because the region is correct. Option C is incorrect because the policy allows CreateLogGroup, but the resource is wrong. Option D is incorrect because the actions are correct but the resource is insufficient.
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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.
Question Discussion
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