EX294 Deploy Ansible Automation Platform Practice Question
An organization is deploying Automation Platform for the first time. The security team requires that all SSH private keys used for automation be stored securely with access controls. Which AAP feature should be used to meet this requirement?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse Ansible Vault (a file-level encryption tool) with AAP's credential management system, not realizing that Vault does not provide the centralized access control and audit trail required for enterprise security compliance.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a Machine credential type and upload the SSH private key.
The Machine credential type in Ansible Automation Platform (AAP) is specifically designed to securely store SSH private keys. When you upload the private key via the AAP web UI or API, it is encrypted at rest in the AAP database and access is controlled through role-based access control (RBAC). This meets the security team's requirement for secure storage and access controls without exposing the key in plain text.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Store the private key in plain text within the inventory file.
Why it's wrong here
Plain-text keys in an inventory file are readable by anyone with repository or filesystem access, violating the access-control requirement outright. It is tempting because inventory variables can hold connection credentials for quick lab setups, but production automation demands AAP credentials, which encrypt keys and restrict their use to authorised job templates.
- ✗
Use Ansible Vault to encrypt the private key file.
Why it's wrong here
Ansible Vault encrypts file contents at rest, but decryption keys and vault passwords are shared across users, so per-user access control and audit trails are absent. It suits encrypting playbook variables or static secrets in Git; AAP's credential store, which injects keys without exposing them, is required here.
- ✗
Set the SSH key as an environment variable on the controller.
Why it's wrong here
Environment variables on the controller expose the private key in process listings and job logs, giving no per-credential access control or audit trail. This approach suits non-sensitive configuration values, whereas SSH keys belong in a credential of type Machine, which encrypts the key and enforces role-based access.
- ✓
Create a Machine credential type and upload the SSH private key.
Why this is correct
A Machine credential stores the SSH private key encrypted within Automation Platform and enforces role-based access controls, so only authorised users and job templates can retrieve it. This satisfies the requirement that keys never sit in plain text on disk.
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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