Quick Answer
The answer is IAM user access keys and temporary credentials from an IAM role. Both are valid AWS API authentication methods because they rely on Signature Version 4 (SigV4) to sign programmatic requests, ensuring integrity and authenticity. IAM user access keys are long-term credentials consisting of an access key ID and secret access key, while temporary credentials from an IAM role are short-lived and obtained via AWS STS, offering enhanced security through automatic rotation. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of which IAM methods are explicitly designed for API calls—a common trap is confusing console login credentials (password) or root account keys with valid programmatic access methods. Remember that root access keys are a security risk and rarely the correct answer. Memory tip: think “long-term keys for users, short-term tokens for roles” to distinguish the two valid choices.
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 TWO are valid ways to authenticate to AWS for API calls? (Choose two.)
SSH key pairs
Why wrong: SSH keys are for EC2 instance login, not AWS API.
IAM user access keys
Access keys consist of an access key ID and secret access key.
Database master password
Why wrong: Database passwords are for RDS, not AWS API.
Temporary credentials from an IAM role
Temporary credentials are obtained via AWS STS.
Root user access keys
Why wrong: Root user access keys should be avoided and are not a recommended practice.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
IAM user access keys
IAM user access keys (option B) are a valid authentication method for programmatic API calls to AWS. They consist of an access key ID and a secret access key, which are used to sign requests using Signature Version 4 (SigV4). This is a standard, long-term credential for IAM users to interact with AWS services via CLI, SDK, or direct API calls.
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.
SSH key pairs
Why it's wrong here
SSH keys are for EC2 instance login, not AWS API.
IAM user access keys
Why this is correct
Access keys consist of an access key ID and secret access key.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Database master password
Why it's wrong here
Database passwords are for RDS, not AWS API.
Temporary credentials from an IAM role
Why this is correct
Temporary credentials are obtained via AWS STS.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Root user access keys
Why it's wrong here
Root user access keys should be avoided and are not a recommended practice.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may think root user access keys (option E) are invalid or not a real authentication method, but they are technically valid—the question asks for 'valid ways,' and the correct pairing is B and D because they are the two primary recommended methods for programmatic access, while root keys are valid but discouraged and not a standard choice.
Detailed technical explanation
Temporary credentials from an IAM role (option D) are obtained via the AWS STS (Security Token Service) AssumeRole API, which returns an access key ID, secret access key, and session token. These credentials are short-lived (default 1 hour, max 12 hours) and automatically rotated, reducing the risk of long-term key exposure. In contrast, IAM user access keys (option B) are long-lived and must be manually rotated, making them a common target for compromise if not managed properly.
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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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: IAM user access keys — IAM user access keys (option B) are a valid authentication method for programmatic API calls to AWS. They consist of an access key ID and a secret access key, which are used to sign requests using Signature Version 4 (SigV4). This is a standard, long-term credential for IAM users to interact with AWS services via CLI, SDK, or direct API calls.
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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