Quick Answer
The correct answer is that the role MyRole can be assumed by EC2 instances. This is because the command `aws ec2 associate-iam-instance-profile` attaches an instance profile—a container that holds the IAM role—to the specified EC2 instance. Once associated, the instance profile enables the EC2 instance to assume MyRole and retrieve temporary security credentials from the EC2 metadata service, allowing it to interact with other AWS services securely. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how instance profiles bridge IAM roles to compute resources, often appearing in scenario-based questions about credential delivery or least privilege. A common trap is confusing the instance profile name with the role name itself; remember that the instance profile is the wrapper, and the role is the actual permission set. Memory tip: think of the instance profile as the “keychain” that holds the “key” (the IAM role) for the EC2 instance to use.
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.
Refer to the exhibit. A security engineer runs the command above. Which of the following is true about the role MyRole?
The role has a resource-based policy attached
Why wrong: The output shows the trust policy, not a resource-based policy.
The role can be assumed by any IAM user in account 123456789012
Why wrong: The principal is ec2.amazonaws.com, not an AWS account.
The role can be assumed by any AWS service
Why wrong: Only EC2 is allowed.
The role can be assumed by EC2 instances
The trust policy grants sts:AssumeRole to the EC2 service.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The role can be assumed by EC2 instances
The command `aws ec2 associate-iam-instance-profile --instance-id i-1234567890abcdef0 --iam-instance-profile Name=MyRole` attaches an IAM instance profile to an EC2 instance. An instance profile is a container for an IAM role that enables EC2 instances to assume that role and obtain temporary credentials via the EC2 metadata service. Therefore, the role MyRole can be assumed by EC2 instances when associated through an instance profile.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
The role has a resource-based policy attached
Why it's wrong here
The output shows the trust policy, not a resource-based policy.
The role can be assumed by any IAM user in account 123456789012
Why it's wrong here
The principal is ec2.amazonaws.com, not an AWS account.
The role can be assumed by any AWS service
Why it's wrong here
Only EC2 is allowed.
The role can be assumed by EC2 instances
Why this is correct
The trust policy grants sts:AssumeRole to the EC2 service.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between an IAM role's trust policy (who can assume it) and the instance profile (the mechanism for EC2 to use the role), leading candidates to incorrectly assume that any AWS service can assume the role or that the role has a resource-based policy attached.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The output shows the trust policy, not a resource-based policy.
Detailed technical explanation
An instance profile is a wrapper for an IAM role that EC2 uses to retrieve temporary security credentials from AWS STS via the instance metadata service (IMDS). The trust policy of the role must include `ec2.amazonaws.com` as a trusted entity, and the instance profile must be created and associated with the EC2 instance; the `associate-iam-instance-profile` command performs the latter step. Under the hood, the EC2 instance calls `sts:AssumeRole` using the instance profile's ARN to obtain credentials that are automatically rotated.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Identity and Access Management — This question tests Identity and Access Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: The role can be assumed by EC2 instances — The command `aws ec2 associate-iam-instance-profile --instance-id i-1234567890abcdef0 --iam-instance-profile Name=MyRole` attaches an IAM instance profile to an EC2 instance. An instance profile is a container for an IAM role that enables EC2 instances to assume that role and obtain temporary credentials via the EC2 metadata service. Therefore, the role MyRole can be assumed by EC2 instances when associated through an instance profile.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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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