COF-C03 Data Collaboration Practice Question
A provider wants to share data with a consumer but needs the shared data to reflect changes in the provider's source tables in near real time. The provider also wants to avoid granting the consumer access to the underlying base tables. Which approach best meets these requirements?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming materialized views can be shared like regular views, when shares only support specific object types and materialized views are not among them.
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 secure view over the base tables and grant SELECT on the view to the share.
A secure view provides real-time access to base table data because it executes the underlying query at runtime. It also hides the view definition and base table details from consumers. Granting SELECT on the secure view to the share meets both the freshness and the access restriction requirements, unlike copies or direct table grants.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Grant SELECT on the base tables directly to the share and instruct the consumer not to modify them.
Why it's wrong here
Granting SELECT on base tables exposes their full structure and data to the consumer, violating the requirement to hide underlying tables. While SELECT is read-only, the consumer would see all columns and could potentially infer sensitive details. This does not meet the provider's access restriction.
- ✓
Create a secure view over the base tables and grant SELECT on the view to the share.
Why this is correct
A secure view queries the base tables at runtime, so consumers always see current data without any refresh process. Because the view is secure, its definition is hidden and consumers cannot infer underlying table structures. Granting SELECT on the view to the share provides access without exposing the base tables, satisfying both requirements.
- ✗
Create a materialized view over the base tables and grant SELECT on the materialized view to the share.
Why it's wrong here
Materialized views in Snowflake cannot be shared directly. They are not supported objects for shares, so granting SELECT on one to a share would fail. Even if it were possible, materialized views require maintenance and may not reflect changes instantly, making them unsuitable here.
- ✗
Copy the base tables into a separate database and grant SELECT on the copies to the share.
Why it's wrong here
Copying data introduces latency and requires a refresh mechanism to stay current. It also duplicates storage and does not provide near real-time updates unless continuously refreshed. This approach fails the near real-time requirement and adds unnecessary complexity compared to a view-based solution.
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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
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