DEA-C02 Data Governance Practice Question
An auditor requests proof of who has accessed a specific table containing sensitive data. Which Snowflake view in the ACCOUNT_USAGE schema provides this data?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently select METERING_HISTORY or QUERY_HISTORY, confusing warehouse cost tracking and general query logs with granular data access auditing.
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
✓
ACCESS_HISTORY.
The ACCESS_HISTORY view in the ACCOUNT_USAGE schema is the definitive source for auditing data access. It logs every query that touches a column in a table, providing a comprehensive trail that is crucial for regulatory compliance. Understanding how to query the ACCOUNT_USAGE schema is a core skill for data engineers responsible for maintaining an audit-ready environment and documenting data lineage for sensitive assets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
QUERY_HISTORY.
Why it's wrong here
QUERY_HISTORY provides details on the SQL statements executed, such as duration and status, but it does not track which specific columns were accessed. While it records the activity, it lacks the depth required to prove that specific sensitive columns were touched by a particular user session.
- ✓
ACCESS_HISTORY.
Why this is correct
ACCESS_HISTORY is specifically designed for auditing data access at the column level. It records the relationships between users, the queries they run, and the tables or columns those queries accessed. This is the primary tool for governance teams to generate compliance reports and prove data security.
- ✗
TABLE_STORAGE_METRICS.
Why it's wrong here
TABLE_STORAGE_METRICS provides information on the physical storage footprint, such as bytes used and number of rows, but it contains zero information about user access patterns or security events. It is a capacity planning tool, not a security or compliance auditing tool for tracking user behavior.
- ✗
OBJECT_PRIVILEGES.
Why it's wrong here
OBJECT_PRIVILEGES shows who has permissions to access which objects, not who has actually performed an action. It is useful for reviewing security configuration but does not provide an audit trail of actual events or historical data access, which is necessary for fulfilling an auditor's request.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every DEA-C02 question from scratch — 229 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Snowflake exam blueprint
This DEA-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Snowflake 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 DEA-C02 exam.