The answer is to enable AWS CloudTrail for auditing and configure the Lambda function for approval to check IAM tags. This combination ensures that only users with a specific IAM tag, such as 'role=approver', can invoke the approval API, providing fine-grained authorization, while CloudTrail captures all approval API calls for compliance logging. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of securing manual approval pipelines in CodePipeline, specifically how to enforce authorization at the API level rather than relying on notification services like SNS, which lack granular control. A common trap is choosing CloudWatch Logs for API logging, but remember that CloudTrail is the dedicated service for recording API activity across AWS. Memory tip: think "Tag and Trail" — IAM tags for who can approve, CloudTrail for what was done.
DOP-C02 SDLC Automation Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of sdlc automation. 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.
An organization has a AWS CodePipeline that deploys a critical application. The pipeline uses a manual approval step before deploying to production. The team wants to ensure that only authorized users can approve the deployment, and that the approval action is logged for compliance. Which combination of actions should the team take? (Select TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure the approval action to invoke an AWS Lambda function that validates the approver's IAM role tags.
Options A and C are correct. Option A: Configuring the Lambda function for approval to check IAM tags ensures only users with specific tags (e.g., 'role=approver') can call the approval API. Option C: Using CloudTrail to log approval actions meets compliance logging requirements. Option B is wrong because SNS does not provide fine-grained authorization. Option D is wrong because CloudWatch Logs can log but CloudTrail is the correct service for API logging. Option E is wrong because CodeCommit is not involved in approval authorization.
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.
✓
Configure the approval action to invoke an AWS Lambda function that validates the approver's IAM role tags.
Why this is correct
This allows custom authorization based on tags.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✓
Enable AWS CloudTrail to log all approval API calls for auditing.
Why this is correct
CloudTrail logs all API calls, including approval actions.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
Use Amazon Simple Notification Service (SNS) to send approval notifications and allow any subscriber to approve.
Why it's wrong here
SNS does not enforce authorization.
✗
Use AWS CodeCommit to manage approval permissions via repository policies.
Why it's wrong here
CodeCommit permissions are for source code, not pipeline approvals.
✗
Store approval logs in Amazon CloudWatch Logs for real-time monitoring.
Why it's wrong here
CloudWatch Logs is for log storage, not API auditing.
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.
SDLC Automation — This question tests SDLC Automation — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure the approval action to invoke an AWS Lambda function that validates the approver's IAM role tags. — Options A and C are correct. Option A: Configuring the Lambda function for approval to check IAM tags ensures only users with specific tags (e.g., 'role=approver') can call the approval API. Option C: Using CloudTrail to log approval actions meets compliance logging requirements. Option B is wrong because SNS does not provide fine-grained authorization. Option D is wrong because CloudWatch Logs can log but CloudTrail is the correct service for API logging. Option E is wrong because CodeCommit is not involved in approval authorization.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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 company uses AWS CodePipeline to deploy a critical application. The pipeline has a manual approval step before deployment. Which TWO actions should be taken to improve security and auditability? (Choose two.)
hard
✓ A.Enable AWS CloudTrail to log all approval actions.
B.Remove the approval step and rely on post-deployment monitoring.
✓ C.Integrate with AWS IAM to require multi-factor authentication (MFA) for approvers.
D.Replace the manual approval with an automated approval based on test results.
E.Use a shared IAM user for all approvers to simplify management.
Why A: Options A and D are correct. Option B is wrong because approval is manual. Option C is wrong because it reduces security. Option E is wrong because it bypasses approval.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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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.
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