The answer is enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) for the root user, along with never creating access keys for that account. These are considered best practices to secure AWS root user because the root user has unrestricted access to all AWS resources and billing information, making it the highest-value target for compromise. MFA adds a critical second layer of defense beyond a password, while access keys would allow programmatic, long-term credential exposure that bypasses MFA entirely. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this concept tests your understanding of the shared responsibility model and identity security fundamentals; a common trap is assuming you can delete the root user or that creating access keys is acceptable for automation. Remember the mnemonic “No Keys, MFA Please” to recall that root access keys are forbidden and MFA is mandatory.
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.
Which TWO actions are best practices for securing an AWS account root user? (Select TWO.)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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 user with administrator access and use that instead
Best practices for root user include enabling MFA, using a strong password, and not using root for daily tasks. Deleting the root user is not possible. Access keys should not be created for root user.
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 the root user for daily administrative tasks
Why it's wrong here
Root should only be used for limited tasks.
✗
Create access keys for the root user to use with CLI
Why it's wrong here
Access keys for root user are not recommended.
✓
Create an IAM user with administrator access and use that instead
Why this is correct
Avoid using root user for daily tasks.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for the root user
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Delete the root user after creating an IAM admin user
Why it's wrong here
Root user cannot be deleted.
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: Create an IAM user with administrator access and use that instead — Best practices for root user include enabling MFA, using a strong password, and not using root for daily tasks. Deleting the root user is not possible. Access keys should not be created for root user.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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. Which TWO actions can help protect an AWS account's root user? (Choose TWO.)
easy
✓ A.Do not create access keys for the root user; use IAM users instead
B.Delete the root user after creating administrative IAM users
✓ C.Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on the root user
D.Rotate the root user password every 30 days
E.Change the root user's email address to a group email
Why A: Option A is correct: enable MFA on the root user. Option B is correct: avoid using root user for daily tasks. Option C is wrong: root user credentials cannot be rotated automatically. Option D is wrong: root user cannot be deleted. Option E is wrong: root user email can't be changed easily and is not a security best practice.
Variation 2. Which TWO actions should a DevOps engineer take to secure an AWS account root user? (Choose 2.)
medium
A.Share the root user password with the team.
B.Create an IAM role for the root user.
✓ C.Delete or disable the root user access keys.
D.Use the root user for daily administrative tasks.
✓ E.Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for the root user.
Why C: Enabling MFA and not creating access keys for the root user are best practices. Options B and D are correct.
Variation 3. Which TWO actions are effective ways to protect an AWS account root user? (Choose 2)
medium
A.Use a strong, complex password and change it every 90 days.
B.Use the root user for everyday administrative tasks.
✓ C.Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on the root user.
D.Rotate the root user password every 30 days.
✓ E.Delete or disable the root user access keys.
Why C: Option A (MFA) and Option C (no access keys) are correct. Option B is wrong because a strong password alone is not sufficient; MFA is critical. Option D is wrong because using root user regularly increases risk. Option E is wrong because a single password change is not a protection mechanism.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
Question Discussion
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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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