The answer is that the Deny statement with a condition on aws:RequestedRegion blocks the action because the administrator is operating in us-west-2 rather than us-east-1. This is correct because in AWS IAM, an explicit Deny always overrides any Allow, and the condition key aws:RequestedRegion evaluates the region where the API call is made, not where the resource resides. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how IAM policy evaluation logic works, specifically the precedence of Deny over Allow and the distinction between RequestedRegion and ResourceRegion. A common trap is assuming the Allow statement for production instances would grant permission, but the Deny applies globally unless the condition is met. Remember: Deny is the bouncer—it says no first, and the Allow only matters if the bouncer lets you in.
PAS-C01 Operations and Maintenance Practice Question
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of operations and maintenance. 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.
An operations team uses this IAM policy for a role assumed by SAP administrators. An administrator tries to stop a production SAP HANA instance in the us-west-2 region but receives an access denied error. What is the cause?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The Deny statement with a condition on aws:RequestedRegion prevents actions outside us-east-1.
Option A is correct. The Deny statement blocks all actions unless the request is made in us-east-1. Since the administrator is in us-west-2, the condition fails and the deny applies. Option B is wrong because the Allow statement explicitly allows stop/start on production instances, but the Deny overrides. Option C is wrong because the policy does not require tags for the Deny. Option D is wrong because the condition checks the requested region, not the resource region.
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.
✗
The Allow statement's resource ARN specifies us-east-1, but the instance is in us-west-2.
Why it's wrong here
The resource ARN uses a wildcard for instance ID, not region.
✗
The Allow statement only permits stopping instances with the tag Environment=production, and the instance does not have that tag.
Why it's wrong here
The error is not about tags; the deny applies regardless.
✗
The Deny statement requires the resource to have a specific tag, which is missing.
Why it's wrong here
The Deny statement does not include a tag condition.
✓
The Deny statement with a condition on aws:RequestedRegion prevents actions outside us-east-1.
Why this is correct
The condition denies all actions if the request is not in us-east-1.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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 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 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 PAS-C01 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Operations and Maintenance — This question tests Operations and Maintenance — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The Deny statement with a condition on aws:RequestedRegion prevents actions outside us-east-1. — Option A is correct. The Deny statement blocks all actions unless the request is made in us-east-1. Since the administrator is in us-west-2, the condition fails and the deny applies. Option B is wrong because the Allow statement explicitly allows stop/start on production instances, but the Deny overrides. Option C is wrong because the policy does not require tags for the Deny. Option D is wrong because the condition checks the requested region, not the resource region.
What should I do if I get this PAS-C01 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 PAS-C01 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Question Discussion
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