The correct actions are to configure the Lambda function for VPC access and create a VPC endpoint for Lambda, then use AWS KMS to encrypt the environment variables. The VPC endpoint ensures that all invocation requests originate from within the specified VPC, effectively restricting access by preventing public internet traffic from reaching the function, while enabling the function itself to access private resources. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of network-level access control versus resource-based policies—a common trap is confusing VPC endpoints with resource policies, which control who can invoke but not where the invocation comes from. For the encryption requirement, remember that environment variables are separate from CloudWatch Logs or execution role permissions; only KMS provides at-rest encryption for those variables. A helpful memory tip: "Endpoint for entry, KMS for secrecy"—the VPC endpoint gates the door, and KMS locks the data inside.
DOP-C02 Security and Compliance Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security and compliance. 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 company is using AWS Lambda to process sensitive data. The security team requires that the Lambda function only be invoked from within a specific VPC and that the function's environment variables be encrypted at rest. Which TWO actions should the DevOps engineer take to meet these requirements?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable AWS KMS encryption for the Lambda function's environment variables using a customer-managed key.
Option A is correct because configuring the Lambda function to access a VPC and using a VPC endpoint for Lambda ensures invocation only from within the VPC. Option D is correct because using AWS KMS to encrypt environment variables meets the encryption requirement. Option B is wrong because resource-based policies control which principals can invoke, but cannot restrict to VPC origin alone. Option C is wrong because CloudWatch Logs encryption is separate from environment variables. Option E is wrong because execution role permissions do not encrypt environment variables.
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.
✓
Enable AWS KMS encryption for the Lambda function's environment variables using a customer-managed key.
Why this is correct
KMS encryption protects environment variables at rest.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable encryption for CloudWatch Logs using a KMS key.
Why it's wrong here
This encrypts logs, not environment variables.
✓
Configure the Lambda function to be VPC-enabled and set up a VPC endpoint for Lambda.
Why this is correct
VPC endpoint allows invocation from within VPC only.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Assign an IAM execution role with permissions to access a KMS key.
Why it's wrong here
The role allows access but does not encrypt the variables.
✗
Attach a resource-based policy to the Lambda function that denies invoke unless the request comes from the VPC.
Why it's wrong here
Lambda resource policies do not support condition keys for VPC source.
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.
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: Enable AWS KMS encryption for the Lambda function's environment variables using a customer-managed key. — Option A is correct because configuring the Lambda function to access a VPC and using a VPC endpoint for Lambda ensures invocation only from within the VPC. Option D is correct because using AWS KMS to encrypt environment variables meets the encryption requirement. Option B is wrong because resource-based policies control which principals can invoke, but cannot restrict to VPC origin alone. Option C is wrong because CloudWatch Logs encryption is separate from environment variables. Option E is wrong because execution role permissions do not encrypt environment variables.
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.
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Question Discussion
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