Quick Answer
The answer is AWS Security Token Service (STS). AWS STS is the correct choice because it is specifically designed to generate temporary, limited-privilege credentials for IAM users or federated identities, allowing you to define precise access policies and a short expiration window—such as the 15-minute requirement for S3 bucket access. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this concept tests your understanding of credential management and least-privilege principles; a common trap is confusing STS with IAM roles or long-term access keys, but remember that STS is the only service that issues temporary credentials that automatically expire. For the exam, think of STS as the "time-limited key maker" for S3—if the scenario mentions a short duration or federated access, STS is your answer. Memory tip: STS stands for "Short-Term Security," reinforcing its role in providing temporary, expiring credentials.
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 developer needs to grant an IAM user temporary access to an S3 bucket for 15 minutes. Which AWS service should be used to generate temporary credentials?
AWS Certificate Manager (ACM)
Why wrong: ACM manages SSL/TLS certificates.
AWS Key Management Service (KMS)
Why wrong: KMS manages encryption keys.
AWS Security Token Service (STS)
STS issues temporary credentials.
AWS Directory Service
Why wrong: Directory Service is for Microsoft Active Directory.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AWS Security Token Service (STS)
AWS STS is used to request temporary, limited-privilege credentials for IAM users or federated users.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AWS Certificate Manager (ACM)
Why it's wrong here
ACM manages SSL/TLS certificates.
AWS Key Management Service (KMS)
Why it's wrong here
KMS manages encryption keys.
AWS Security Token Service (STS)
Why this is correct
STS issues temporary credentials.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
AWS Directory Service
Why it's wrong here
Directory Service is for Microsoft Active Directory.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SCS-C02 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Identity and Access Management — study guide chapter
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Identity and Access Management practice questions
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FAQ
Identity and Access Management — This question tests Identity and Access Management — Authentication checks who the user is..
The correct answer is: AWS Security Token Service (STS) — AWS STS is used to request temporary, limited-privilege credentials for IAM users or federated users.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SCS-C02 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Authentication checks who the user is.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company needs to provide temporary credentials to mobile app users to access AWS resources. Which AWS service should be used to issue these credentials?
easyWhy C: Option B is correct because AWS STS is used to issue temporary credentials. Option A is incorrect because IAM is for managing users and roles, not issuing temporary credentials. Option C is incorrect because AWS Cognito is for identity pools but uses STS internally; the direct service is STS. Option D is incorrect because AWS KMS is for encryption keys.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This SCS-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SCS-C02 exam.
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