PAS-C01 Technology Practice Question
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
{
"Version": "2012-10-17",
"Statement": [
{
"Effect": "Allow",
"Action": [
"ec2:StartInstances",
"ec2:StopInstances",
"ec2:RebootInstances"
],
"Resource": "arn:aws:ec2:us-east-1:123456789012:instance/*",
"Condition": {
"StringEquals": {
"ec2:ResourceTag/Environment": "Production"
}
}
},
{
"Effect": "Deny",
"Action": "ec2:TerminateInstances",
"Resource": "*"
}
]
}An SAP administrator attaches this IAM policy to a user. Which action will the user be allowed to perform on an EC2 instance with the tag 'Environment: Production'?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers assume the policy implicitly allows all actions on tagged instances, but IAM requires each action to be explicitly listed; the presence of a condition does not expand the allowed actions beyond those specified.
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
✓
Reboot the instance
The IAM policy grants the ec2:RebootInstances action with a condition that the resource must have the tag 'Environment: Production'. Therefore, the user is allowed to reboot any EC2 instance that carries that tag. The other actions (start, terminate, modify instance type) are not explicitly allowed by the policy, so they are denied by default.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Start the instance
Why it's wrong here
Start is not allowed because the policy only explicitly grants ec2:RebootInstances. The condition does not expand the allowed actions; IAM requires explicit permission for each action.
- ✗
Terminate the instance
Why it's wrong here
Terminate is not allowed because the policy only explicitly grants ec2:RebootInstances. The condition does not expand the allowed actions.
- ✓
Reboot the instance
Why this is correct
Correct. The policy grants ec2:RebootInstances with a condition that the resource must have the tag 'Environment: Production'. Therefore, the user is allowed to reboot instances with that tag.
- ✗
Modify the instance type
Why it's wrong here
Modify instance type is not allowed because the policy only explicitly grants ec2:RebootInstances. The condition does not expand the allowed actions.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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