PAS-C01 Technology Practice Question
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
{
"Version": "2012-10-17",
"Statement": [
{
"Effect": "Allow",
"Action": [
"ec2:Describe*",
"ec2:StartInstances",
"ec2:StopInstances",
"ec2:TerminateInstances"
],
"Resource": "*",
"Condition": {
"StringEquals": {
"ec2:ResourceTag/Environment": "Production"
}
}
},
{
"Effect": "Deny",
"Action": "ec2:TerminateInstances",
"Resource": "*",
"Condition": {
"StringEquals": {
"ec2:ResourceTag/Environment": "Production"
}
}
}
]
}An SAP administrator created the IAM policy shown in the exhibit for a team managing SAP HANA instances. What is the effective permission for the team regarding an EC2 instance with the tag 'Environment=Production'?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates may overlook the explicit Deny statement and assume the Allow for start/stop/terminate applies universally, or they may forget that an explicit Deny overrides any Allow, leading them to incorrectly choose Option A or B.
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 team can start and stop the instance, but cannot terminate it.
The IAM policy explicitly denies the 'ec2:TerminateInstances' action for instances with the tag 'Environment=Production', while allowing 'ec2:StartInstances' and 'ec2:StopInstances' via a separate Allow statement. Since an explicit Deny overrides any Allow, the team can start and stop the instance but cannot terminate it.
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 team can start, stop, and terminate the instance.
Why it's wrong here
The Deny overrides the Allow for termination.
- ✗
The team cannot start, stop, or terminate the instance.
Why it's wrong here
The Allow for StartInstances and StopInstances is effective.
- ✗
The team can only describe the instance.
Why it's wrong here
Describe actions are allowed; also start and stop are allowed.
- ✓
The team can start and stop the instance, but cannot terminate it.
Why this is correct
The Deny for TerminateInstances blocks termination.
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