Cloud Computing Capstone (D342)

Correct Answer

B. U2F Security Key

Explanation

A U2F (Universal 2nd Factor) Security Key is a physical Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) device that customers can use to secure their AWS resources. It provides an additional layer of security when accessing AWS services, requiring both something the user knows (password) and something the user has (physical device).

Why other options are wrong

A. AWS CloudHSM

This is incorrect because AWS CloudHSM (Hardware Security Module) is a managed service that allows customers to store and manage cryptographic keys securely. While it provides security features, it is not specifically an MFA device.

C. AWS Access Keys

This is incorrect because AWS Access Keys are used for programmatic access to AWS resources, not for Multi-Factor Authentication. They are part of the security credentials but do not provide the two-factor authentication required for MFA.

D. AWS Key Pair

This is incorrect because AWS Key Pairs are used for securing SSH access to EC2 instances, but they are not MFA devices. They consist of a public key and a private key, used for encryption and authentication, but they do not provide the additional layer of security that MFA devices like the U2F Security Key offer.

Correct Answer

C. It provides an additional layer of security even if the password is compromised

Explanation

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) enhances security by requiring users to provide more than just a password when accessing their accounts. Even if an attacker knows the password, they would also need to pass an additional security check, such as a code sent to a mobile device, making it much harder to compromise the account.

Why other options are wrong

A. It allows users to reset their passwords easily

MFA is not specifically intended to facilitate password resets. Password reset procedures are separate from MFA and typically require email or identity verification rather than an additional authentication factor.

B. It ensures that only authorized devices can access the account

MFA does not specifically control access by device, but rather adds an additional authentication step to verify identity. It does not directly restrict access based on device.

D. It eliminates the need for strong passwords

While MFA adds an extra layer of security, strong passwords are still important. MFA does not eliminate the need for strong, secure passwords, but rather complements them to provide a higher level of security.

Correct Answer

B. Users are individuals who can be organized into multiple groups.

Explanation

In cloud computing, particularly with AWS IAM (Identity and Access Management), users can be organized into multiple groups. This allows for flexible management of user permissions. By assigning a user to several groups, an administrator can effectively apply multiple sets of permissions to a single user. This is important for granting access to various resources in a way that is scalable and manageable.

Why other options are wrong

A. Users can only belong to one group at a time.

This is incorrect because AWS IAM allows a user to belong to multiple groups, making it easier to manage permissions across a variety of roles. A user does not have to be limited to just one group.

C. Users are restricted to administrative roles only.

This is incorrect because users can be assigned different roles, not just administrative roles. In fact, most users are not assigned administrative roles but rather roles with specific, limited access to resources.

D. Users must be part of a group to access cloud resources.

This is incorrect because users can be granted permissions directly, without being part of a group. While groups are useful for organizing permissions, they are not strictly required for accessing cloud resources. Individual users can also be assigned permissions on their own.

Correct Answer

B. Services are delivered over the internet by a third-party provider

Explanation

Public cloud services are provided over the internet by third-party providers, where users can access and manage resources, such as computing power and storage, without the need for ownership or maintenance of the underlying infrastructure. The services are shared among multiple users or organizations, unlike private cloud services that are limited to a single organization.

Why other options are wrong

A. Resources are exclusively owned by the user

In a public cloud, resources are owned and managed by the cloud provider, not the user. The user only rents or leases access to these resources.

C. Infrastructure is maintained on-premises

Public cloud services are hosted off-premises by the provider, not maintained on the user’s premises. This distinguishes it from private or hybrid clouds.

D. Access is limited to a single organization

Public cloud services are available to multiple users or organizations. Access is not limited to a single organization, unlike a private cloud.

Correct Answer

B. It offers a platform for developers to build, test, and deploy applications without managing the underlying infrastructure.

Explanation

Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) provides developers with a platform to develop, run, and manage applications without dealing with the underlying infrastructure. It abstracts the complexities of managing hardware and operating systems, allowing developers to focus on coding and deployment.

Why other options are wrong

A. It provides a complete software application ready for end-users

This describes Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), not PaaS. PaaS provides tools and a platform for building applications, not finished applications ready for end-users.

C. It supplies only the hardware resources needed for application hosting

This describes Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), which provides virtualized computing resources like servers, storage, and networks. PaaS, on the other hand, abstracts these details and focuses on providing a development and deployment environment.

D. It focuses solely on data storage solutions for applications

While PaaS may include some storage capabilities, its primary focus is on providing a platform for developing, testing, and deploying applications, not just on data storage. This is more closely related to the concept of storage services offered by other models like IaaS.

Correct Answer

B. The services a user has access to and the last time those services were utilized

Explanation

IAM Access Advisor provides detailed insights into the AWS services a user has access to and the last time those services were used. This allows administrators to track whether a user is actively using certain AWS services and helps in identifying unused permissions that can be revoked for better security and cost management.

Why other options are wrong

A. A list of all users in the account

This option is incorrect because IAM Access Advisor does not provide a list of all users in the account. Instead, it focuses on tracking the services that a particular user has accessed. A list of all users would be available in the IAM dashboard under the "Users" section.

C. The total number of IAM roles in the account

This is incorrect because IAM Access Advisor does not report the total number of IAM roles in the account. The number of roles can be found by navigating to the IAM roles section, but Access Advisor is specifically designed to monitor user permissions, not roles.

D. A summary of billing information for the user

This is incorrect because IAM Access Advisor does not provide billing information for users. Billing information is managed separately through the AWS Billing and Cost Management dashboard.

Correct Answer

D. Dedicated Host

Explanation

A Dedicated Host in Amazon EC2 provides a physical server dedicated to your use, which is ideal for situations where you need to use existing server-bound software licenses (like Windows Server or SQL Server) to meet compliance requirements or reduce costs. Since the host is dedicated to you, you can bring your own licenses (BYOL) and use them in a way that aligns with licensing models for software that require a physical server.

Why other options are wrong

A. Reserved Instance

This is incorrect because Reserved Instances are a pricing model for EC2, offering discounted rates for long-term commitments. They don't necessarily help with compliance or using existing server-bound licenses like Dedicated Hosts do.

B. On-Demand Instance

This is incorrect because On-Demand Instances provide the flexibility of pay-as-you-go pricing but do not provide a dedicated physical server, meaning you cannot use server-bound software licenses in the same way as you can with Dedicated Hosts.

C. Dedicated Instance

This is incorrect because Dedicated Instances run on hardware dedicated to your use, but they do not provide the level of control that a Dedicated Host offers. They do not allow you to control the physical server, so using server-bound software licenses is not as feasible.

Correct Answer

B. To serve as a cluster of data centers that host AWS resources

Explanation

AWS Regions are geographical locations that contain multiple Availability Zones. These regions are designed to allow AWS to deliver low-latency, highly available, and scalable services to customers worldwide. Each region consists of multiple data centers (called Availability Zones), which work together to provide redundancy, fault tolerance, and scalability.

Why other options are wrong

A. To provide a single point of access for all AWS services

This is incorrect because the purpose of AWS Regions is not to provide a single point of access but rather to distribute AWS services across multiple geographic areas for better availability, fault tolerance, and local compliance.

C. To manage user permissions and access control

This is incorrect because managing user permissions and access control is handled by AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), not by AWS Regions. IAM allows you to define who can access resources within AWS and under what conditions.

D. To facilitate the deployment of on-premises applications

This is incorrect because AWS Regions are primarily for cloud-based resources and services. While AWS does provide hybrid solutions, Regions are not specifically designed to facilitate the deployment of on-premises applications.

Correct Answer

B. AWS Management Console

Explanation

The AWS Management Console is a web-based user interface that allows users to interact with AWS services through a web browser. This method of access is ideal for users who prefer a graphical interface for managing and configuring AWS resources. It is accessed via a web browser and provides a more user-friendly way of interacting with AWS compared to other methods like CLI or SDK.

Why other options are wrong

A. AWS CLI

The AWS Command Line Interface (CLI) is a tool that allows users to manage AWS services through commands in a terminal or command prompt. It does not require a web browser and operates solely in a command-line environment.

C. AWS SDK

The AWS Software Development Kit (SDK) is a set of libraries that developers use to build applications that interact with AWS services programmatically. It is typically used within application code, and like the AWS CLI, does not require a web browser.