The answer is that the IAM policy is missing the dynamodb:DescribeTable action. While GetItem and PutItem allow reading and writing individual items, the AWS SDK often first calls DescribeTable to retrieve table metadata like schema and throughput settings before performing operations, and without this permission the SDK throws an AccessDeniedException even though the table name is correct. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that DynamoDB SDKs require broader read permissions than just data-plane actions, and the common trap is assuming GetItem and PutItem alone are sufficient. Remember the memory tip: "Describe before you Get or Put" — the SDK always describes the table first, so your policy must include that action on the table ARN to avoid access denied errors.
SCS-C02 Identity and Access Management Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of identity and access management. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
A company uses IAM roles for EC2 instances to access DynamoDB. The security team wants to ensure that the instances can only access specific DynamoDB tables. They create an IAM policy that allows dynamodb:GetItem and dynamodb:PutItem on the specific table ARN. The policy is attached to the instance role. However, when an application on the instance tries to read from the table, it receives an 'AccessDeniedException'. The application is using the correct table name. What is the MOST likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The policy does not include dynamodb:DescribeTable action.
Option B is correct. DynamoDB requires the user to have permission on the table ARN, but also on the index ARN if using indexes. However, the most common mistake is that the policy does not allow the necessary actions like dynamodb:DescribeTable, which is often required by SDKs. Option A is wrong because the policy is attached. Option C is wrong because the instance profile is correct. Option D is wrong because the role is not about encryption.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 IAM policy is not attached to the instance profile.
Why it's wrong here
The policy is attached to the role.
✗
The DynamoDB table is encrypted with a customer managed key that the role does not have access to.
Why it's wrong here
Encryption key not mentioned.
✓
The policy does not include dynamodb:DescribeTable action.
Why this is correct
Many SDKs need DescribeTable.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The instance does not have the required instance profile associated.
Why it's wrong here
The instance profile is associated.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
Identify which SCS-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Identity and Access Management — This question tests Identity and Access Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The policy does not include dynamodb:DescribeTable action. — Option B is correct. DynamoDB requires the user to have permission on the table ARN, but also on the index ARN if using indexes. However, the most common mistake is that the policy does not allow the necessary actions like dynamodb:DescribeTable, which is often required by SDKs. Option A is wrong because the policy is attached. Option C is wrong because the instance profile is correct. Option D is wrong because the role is not about encryption.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Identify which SCS-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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