The correct approach is to use separate CodePipeline stages with cross-account actions using IAM roles. This works because CodePipeline can assume an IAM role in the target AWS account to perform deployment actions, allowing the pipeline to securely orchestrate deployments across multiple accounts without sharing long-term credentials. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of cross-account deployment orchestration using CodePipeline, a key scenario for multi-environment setups where dev, test, and prod accounts must be kept isolated. A common trap is confusing cross-account actions with cross-region replication or assuming that CodeCommit can directly target another account—remember, CodePipeline’s cross-account support relies on role assumption, not service-level replication. Memory tip: think “role, not roll” — you assume a role to roll out deployments across accounts.
SOA-C02 Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation Practice Question
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of deployment, provisioning, and automation. 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 SysOps administrator is automating the deployment of an application across multiple AWS accounts using AWS CodePipeline. The pipeline must deploy to different environments (dev, test, prod) sequentially. Which deployment approach should be used?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use separate CodePipeline stages with cross-account actions using IAM roles.
The correct answer is B because CodePipeline supports cross-account actions by assuming a role in the target account. Option A is incorrect because it would be insecure. Option C is incorrect because CodeCommit is for source code, not deployment targets. Option D is incorrect because cross-region replication is for S3, not deployment.
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.
✗
Use AWS CodeCommit repositories in each account and trigger builds.
Why it's wrong here
CodeCommit is for source control, not deployment orchestration.
✗
Use AWS CLI scripts with cross-region replication.
Why it's wrong here
Cross-region replication is for S3, not for deploying applications.
✓
Use separate CodePipeline stages with cross-account actions using IAM roles.
Why this is correct
Cross-account actions allow deployment to different accounts via assumed roles.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Create a single pipeline with all deployment stages in the same account.
Why it's wrong here
This does not meet the requirement of deploying to multiple accounts.
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 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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which SOA-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.
Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation — This question tests Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use separate CodePipeline stages with cross-account actions using IAM roles. — The correct answer is B because CodePipeline supports cross-account actions by assuming a role in the target account. Option A is incorrect because it would be insecure. Option C is incorrect because CodeCommit is for source code, not deployment targets. Option D is incorrect because cross-region replication is for S3, not deployment.
What should I do if I get this SOA-C02 question wrong?
Identify which SOA-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.
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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