PAS-C01 Operations and Maintenance Practice Question
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
{
"Version": "2012-10-17",
"Statement": [
{
"Sid": "VisualEditor0",
"Effect": "Allow",
"Action": [
"ec2:DescribeInstances",
"ec2:StartInstances",
"ec2:StopInstances"
],
"Resource": "*"
},
{
"Sid": "VisualEditor1",
"Effect": "Allow",
"Action": [
"s3:GetObject",
"s3:PutObject"
],
"Resource": "arn:aws:s3:::my-sap-backup/*"
}
]
}An IAM policy is attached to an IAM role used by an SAP system to perform backups. The policy is shown above. The SAP system can successfully list EC2 instances but fails to start or stop them. What is the most likely cause?
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
✓
The EC2 instances are in a different AWS account, and cross-account access is not configured.
The policy grants ec2:StartInstances and ec2:StopInstances on all resources (*), which would allow starting and stopping instances in the same account. However, if the EC2 instances are in a different AWS account, the IAM policy in the current account does not grant cross‑account access. Cross‑account access requires additional configuration such as a trust policy in the target account or resource‑based policies. Options A and B are unrelated, and option D is incorrect because the role does not need an instance profile for an SAP system that assumes the role directly.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The S3 bucket permissions are missing; the backup process requires S3 access first.
Why it's wrong here
S3 permissions are separate and not required for EC2 start/stop.
- ✗
The policy does not include the ec2:DescribeInstanceStatus action.
Why it's wrong here
Start/Stop actions do not require DescribeInstanceStatus.
- ✓
The EC2 instances are in a different AWS account, and cross-account access is not configured.
Why this is correct
The policy allows actions on resources in the current account, but not cross-account.
- ✗
The IAM policy is attached to the role, but the role is not associated with an instance profile.
Why it's wrong here
The role can be used by the SAP system directly, not necessarily via instance profile.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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