- A
Create an IAM role in the source account with read access to the bucket, and allow users in that account to assume the role.
Assuming a role in the source account grants cross-account access.
- B
Enable S3 Block Public Access on the bucket.
Why wrong: Block Public Access prevents public access but does not restrict to a specific account.
- C
Generate pre-signed URLs for each object and distribute them only to users in the target account.
Why wrong: Pre-signed URLs grant temporary access to anyone with the URL, not just a specific account.
- D
Write a bucket policy that uses the aws:SourceAccount condition to allow access only from the specific account.
The aws:SourceAccount condition in bucket policies can restrict access to a specific AWS account.
- E
Set a bucket ACL that grants read access to the target account's canonical ID.
Why wrong: ACLs are legacy and less secure; bucket policies are preferred.
Quick Answer
The answer is a bucket policy using the aws:SourceAccount condition combined with an IAM role in the source account. This works because the bucket policy explicitly denies or allows access based on the source AWS account ID, ensuring only users from that specific account can read objects, while the IAM role in the source account provides the necessary permissions for its users to assume that role and access the bucket. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of cross-account S3 access and the distinction between resource-based policies (bucket policies) and identity-based policies (IAM roles); a common trap is confusing pre-signed URLs or ACLs as general solutions, but pre-signed URLs grant temporary access to individual objects, not account-wide restrictions, and ACLs are legacy. Memory tip: think of the bucket policy as the "bouncer" checking IDs at the door (aws:SourceAccount), and the IAM role as the "key card" that users in the other account must have to enter.
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 DevOps engineer needs to restrict access to an S3 bucket so that only users from a specific AWS account can read objects. Which TWO methods can achieve this?
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
Create an IAM role in the source account with read access to the bucket, and allow users in that account to assume the role.
Options A and D are correct. Bucket policy with condition can restrict to specific source account. IAM roles in the source account can grant cross-account access. Option B (pre-signed URLs) works for individual objects but not as a general restriction. Option C (block public access) does not restrict to a specific account. Option E (ACL) is legacy and less secure.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Create an IAM role in the source account with read access to the bucket, and allow users in that account to assume the role.
Why this is correct
Assuming a role in the source account grants cross-account access.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Enable S3 Block Public Access on the bucket.
Why it's wrong here
Block Public Access prevents public access but does not restrict to a specific account.
- ✗
Generate pre-signed URLs for each object and distribute them only to users in the target account.
Why it's wrong here
Pre-signed URLs grant temporary access to anyone with the URL, not just a specific account.
- ✓
Write a bucket policy that uses the aws:SourceAccount condition to allow access only from the specific account.
Why this is correct
The aws:SourceAccount condition in bucket policies can restrict access to a specific AWS account.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Set a bucket ACL that grants read access to the target account's canonical ID.
Why it's wrong here
ACLs are legacy and less secure; bucket policies are preferred.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
- The first matching ACL entry is used.
- There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
- Check inbound versus outbound direction.
- Read the ACL from top to bottom.
- Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related DOP-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
- →
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 — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create an IAM role in the source account with read access to the bucket, and allow users in that account to assume the role. — Options A and D are correct. Bucket policy with condition can restrict to specific source account. IAM roles in the source account can grant cross-account access. Option B (pre-signed URLs) works for individual objects but not as a general restriction. Option C (block public access) does not restrict to a specific account. Option E (ACL) is legacy and less secure.
What should I do if I get this DOP-C02 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related DOP-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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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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