Quick Answer
The answer is the IAM service role, because it is the general-purpose IAM entity designed to delegate permissions to an AWS service so it can perform actions on your behalf. A service role is an IAM role that you create and attach a trust policy to, allowing a specific AWS service—such as EC2, Lambda, or RDS—to assume that role and access the resources you define. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how AWS services interact with your account, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must choose between a service role and a service-linked role. The common trap is confusing the two: while a service-linked role is a subtype of service role that is predefined and tied to a specific service, not all service roles are service-linked, and the exam expects you to recognize that the broader category is the correct answer for delegating permissions generically. Remember the memory tip: “Service role is the parent; service-linked is the child—use the parent when you need flexibility, the child when the service dictates the policy.”
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.
Which IAM entity can be used to delegate permissions to an AWS service to perform actions on your behalf?
Service role
A service role allows an AWS service to assume it and perform actions.
Service-linked role
Why wrong: A service-linked role is predefined by the service, but the question asks generally.
Instance profile
Why wrong: An instance profile is for EC2 instances.
Permissions boundary
Why wrong: A permissions boundary sets the maximum permissions for a user or role.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Service role
A service role is an IAM role that a service assumes to perform actions on your behalf. Option A is correct. Option B is wrong because a service-linked role is a special type of service role, but not all service roles are service-linked. Option C is wrong because an instance profile is used for EC2. Option D is wrong because a permissions boundary is used to set maximum permissions.
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.
Service role
Why this is correct
A service role allows an AWS service to assume it and perform actions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Service-linked role
Why it's wrong here
A service-linked role is predefined by the service, but the question asks generally.
Instance profile
Why it's wrong here
An instance profile is for EC2 instances.
Permissions boundary
Why it's wrong here
A permissions boundary sets the maximum permissions for a user or role.
Common exam traps
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
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.
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
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 — study guide chapter
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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: Service role — A service role is an IAM role that a service assumes to perform actions on your behalf. Option A is correct. Option B is wrong because a service-linked role is a special type of service role, but not all service roles are service-linked. Option C is wrong because an instance profile is used for EC2. Option D is wrong because a permissions boundary is used to set maximum permissions.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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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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