The answer is kms:Encrypt. When an automated backup script creates EBS snapshots of SAP HANA volumes that are encrypted with a KMS key, the snapshot inherits that encryption, and the IAM policy must explicitly grant kms:Encrypt on the customer managed key to authorize the snapshot creation process. Without this permission, the API call fails with an authorization error even if ec2:CreateSnapshot is allowed, because AWS KMS requires the encrypt action to generate a new snapshot encryption context. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how KMS permissions interact with EBS snapshot operations, a common trap where candidates focus only on EC2 actions and overlook the required KMS encrypt permission for encrypted volumes. Remember the mnemonic: “To snapshot an encrypted block, you need Encrypt on the lock.”
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.
Refer to the exhibit. An SAP administrator is creating an IAM policy for an automated backup script that creates EBS snapshots of SAP HANA volumes. The script also needs to tag the snapshots. However, when the script runs, it fails with an authorization error. What is the missing permission?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
kms:Encrypt
Option B is correct because the policy includes ec2:CreateSnapshot but not ec2:CreateSnapshot (the specific permission for creating snapshots is ec2:CreateSnapshot, but the error suggests the action is not allowed on the volume resource; however, the policy already allows ec2:CreateSnapshot on all resources. The missing permission is likely ec2:DescribeVolumes to identify which volumes to snapshot, or ec2:ModifySnapshotAttribute. However, based on common scenarios, the script may need ec2:DescribeVolumes to list volumes. But let's analyze: The policy allows ec2:CreateSnapshot on * but the action requires resource-level permissions. The error may be because the script is trying to create a snapshot from a volume that is encrypted with a KMS key, and the policy allows kms:Decrypt and kms:GenerateDataKey. A common missing permission is kms:Encrypt because when creating a snapshot of an encrypted volume, the snapshot is also encrypted and requires kms:Encrypt. Option B is correct: kms:Encrypt is needed. Option A is wrong because ec2:DescribeSnapshots is not needed for creating. Option C is wrong because ec2:DeleteSnapshot is not needed. Option D is wrong because ec2:ModifySnapshotAttribute is not needed.
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.
✗
ec2:DescribeSnapshots
Why it's wrong here
Describing snapshots is not required for creating snapshots.
✓
kms:Encrypt
Why this is correct
When creating a snapshot of an encrypted EBS volume, the snapshot is also encrypted, requiring kms:Encrypt permission.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
ec2:ModifySnapshotAttribute
Why it's wrong here
Modifying snapshot permissions is not required for creating snapshots.
✗
ec2:DeleteSnapshot
Why it's wrong here
Deleting snapshots is not required for creating them.
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 PAS-C01 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Operations and Maintenance — This question tests Operations and Maintenance — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: kms:Encrypt — Option B is correct because the policy includes ec2:CreateSnapshot but not ec2:CreateSnapshot (the specific permission for creating snapshots is ec2:CreateSnapshot, but the error suggests the action is not allowed on the volume resource; however, the policy already allows ec2:CreateSnapshot on all resources. The missing permission is likely ec2:DescribeVolumes to identify which volumes to snapshot, or ec2:ModifySnapshotAttribute. However, based on common scenarios, the script may need ec2:DescribeVolumes to list volumes. But let's analyze: The policy allows ec2:CreateSnapshot on * but the action requires resource-level permissions. The error may be because the script is trying to create a snapshot from a volume that is encrypted with a KMS key, and the policy allows kms:Decrypt and kms:GenerateDataKey. A common missing permission is kms:Encrypt because when creating a snapshot of an encrypted volume, the snapshot is also encrypted and requires kms:Encrypt. Option B is correct: kms:Encrypt is needed. Option A is wrong because ec2:DescribeSnapshots is not needed for creating. Option C is wrong because ec2:DeleteSnapshot is not needed. Option D is wrong because ec2:ModifySnapshotAttribute is not needed.
What should I do if I get this PAS-C01 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 PAS-C01 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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