The answer is the `aws:SourceIp` condition key. This key is correct because it evaluates the originating IP address of every API request to AWS, allowing you to restrict SSM Parameter Store access by IP to only traffic from the corporate network range of 10.0.0.0/8. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of IAM policy condition keys for network-based restrictions, a common scenario for securing sensitive parameters. A frequent trap is confusing `aws:SourceIp` with `aws:VpcSourceIp`—remember that `aws:SourceIp` works for both public and private IP ranges when the request reaches AWS over the internet or a VPN, while `aws:VpcSourceIp` is only for VPC endpoints. For a memory tip, think “Source IP = Source of the request’s IP address,” and note that private ranges like 10.0.0.0/8 are perfectly valid with this key as long as the traffic is not routed through a VPC endpoint.
SOA-C02 Security and Compliance Practice Question
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security and compliance. 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 company wants to restrict access to an AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store parameter to only requests originating from the corporate network IP range (10.0.0.0/8). The SysOps administrator needs to implement this restriction using an IAM policy. Which condition key 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
✓
aws:SourceIp
The correct answer is A because the `aws:SourceIp` condition key is designed to restrict access based on the requester's IP address. In this scenario, the corporate network IP range is 10.0.0.0/8, which is a private IPv4 address range. When used in an IAM policy, `aws:SourceIp` evaluates the source IP of the request as seen by AWS, allowing you to permit or deny access to Systems Manager Parameter Store based on that IP range.
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.
✓
aws:SourceIp
Why this is correct
This condition key checks the IP address of the requester, making it suitable for IP-based access restrictions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
aws:SourceVpc
Why it's wrong here
This condition key is used with VPC endpoints to restrict access based on the originating VPC, not the client IP address.
✗
aws:RequestedRegion
Why it's wrong here
This condition key limits access to a specific AWS region, not the client's IP.
✗
aws:UserAgent
Why it's wrong here
This condition key matches the user agent string of the calling application, not the client IP.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse `aws:SourceIp` with `aws:SourceVpc`, mistakenly thinking that restricting by VPC is equivalent to restricting by IP range, but `aws:SourceVpc` requires the request to originate from a VPC endpoint or VPC, not a specific IP range.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `aws:SourceIp` condition key works with the global condition context key and is evaluated against the source IP address of the request as seen by AWS, which may differ from the client's actual IP if the request passes through a proxy or load balancer. For private IP ranges like 10.0.0.0/8, this condition key is effective only when the request originates from within the corporate network and is not routed through a NATgateway that changes the source IP. In practice, if the corporate network uses a VPN or Direct Connect, the source IP seen by AWS will be the private IP, making this condition key suitable for the restriction.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Security and Compliance — This question tests Security and Compliance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: aws:SourceIp — The correct answer is A because the `aws:SourceIp` condition key is designed to restrict access based on the requester's IP address. In this scenario, the corporate network IP range is 10.0.0.0/8, which is a private IPv4 address range. When used in an IAM policy, `aws:SourceIp` evaluates the source IP of the request as seen by AWS, allowing you to permit or deny access to Systems Manager Parameter Store based on that IP range.
What should I do if I get this SOA-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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