The answer is Amazon Cognito with an identity pool, which issues temporary, limited-privilege credentials for mobile app users. Cognito Identity Pools work by first authenticating the user through a trusted identity provider—such as Cognito User Pools, social logins, or SAML—and then exchanging that authentication for temporary AWS credentials via the AWS Security Token Service (STS). This design allows mobile apps to securely access AWS resources like DynamoDB or S3 without embedding long-term keys in the client. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of identity federation for external users; a common trap is choosing IAM roles directly, but mobile apps cannot assume roles without a broker. Another pitfall is selecting STS alone, which is the mechanism for issuing credentials but not the service that manages user identities and pools. Remember the mnemonic: “Cognito connects, STS supplies”—the identity pool is the bridge that maps authenticated users to temporary permissions.
SAP-C02 Design for New Solutions Practice Question
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of design for new solutions. 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 needs to provide temporary, limited-privilege credentials to mobile app users to access AWS resources. Which AWS service should the architect recommend?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use Amazon Cognito with an identity pool to issue temporary credentials.
AWS Cognito Identity Pools (option C) provide temporary credentials for authenticated users. Option A (IAM users) is not for mobile users. Option B (STS) is for federated users, not directly for mobile. Option D (IAM roles) cannot be assumed directly by mobile apps.
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.
✗
Create IAM users for each mobile user and distribute access keys.
Why it's wrong here
Not scalable or secure.
✗
Use AWS Security Token Service (STS) directly from the mobile app.
Why it's wrong here
Mobile app cannot call STS without AWS credentials.
✗
Create an IAM role and have the mobile app assume it directly.
Why it's wrong here
Mobile apps cannot assume roles without AWS credentials.
✓
Use Amazon Cognito with an identity pool to issue temporary credentials.
Why this is correct
Cognito Identity Pools are designed for this purpose.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
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 SAP-C02 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Design for New Solutions — This question tests Design for New Solutions — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use Amazon Cognito with an identity pool to issue temporary credentials. — AWS Cognito Identity Pools (option C) provide temporary credentials for authenticated users. Option A (IAM users) is not for mobile users. Option B (STS) is for federated users, not directly for mobile. Option D (IAM roles) cannot be assumed directly by mobile apps.
What should I do if I get this SAP-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 SAP-C02 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Question Discussion
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