- A
Create an AWS IAM policy with a Deny effect for ec2:RunInstances where the instance type starts with 'g' or 'p' and attach it to a specific IAM role in each account.
Why wrong: This approach is not centralized and requires manual IAM policy configuration in every account. It can also be bypassed if users assume roles that do not have the policy attached. SCPs provide a single, enforceable boundary across all accounts.
- B
Use an AWS Config managed rule to detect GPU instance launches and trigger an auto-remediation action that terminates the instances.
Why wrong: AWS Config is a detective control and can only react after the instance is already launched. Auto-remediation can terminate it, but this may incur costs for the brief period the instance runs and wastes resources. The requirement is for a proactive, preventive policy.
- C
Apply an AWS Organizations Service Control Policy (SCP) that denies ec2:RunInstances when the requested instance type belongs to the g or p families.
SCPs are permission guardrails that can be applied at the organization, organizational unit, or account level. They proactively deny API actions before the resource is created, making them ideal for enforcing restrictions like prohibited instance types across multiple accounts. This is the correct centralized and preventive solution.
- D
Use AWS Trusted Advisor cost optimization checks to identify GPU instances and then manually disable them in each account.
Why wrong: Trusted Advisor provides recommendations and cost-saving suggestions, but it cannot enforce policies or block resource creation. It is an advisory tool, not a preventive control mechanism.
Quick Answer
The answer is to apply an AWS Organizations Service Control Policy (SCP) that denies ec2:RunInstances when the requested instance type belongs to the g or p families. This is correct because SCPs are the only centralized mechanism that can proactively block GPU instance types across accounts at the organization level, overriding any IAM permissions before an API action occurs. By using a Deny effect with a condition matching 'g*' or 'p*', the policy prevents any user or role from launching GPU instances across all accounts, making it ideal for cost control. On the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner CLF-C02 exam, this tests your understanding of how SCPs differ from IAM policies—SCPs set guardrails at the account level, not just for individual users. A common trap is confusing SCPs with IAM or AWS Config, but remember: SCPs are proactive, not reactive. Memory tip: "SCP stops the GPU—before you even click 'Launch'."
CLF-C02 Security and Compliance Practice Question
This CLF-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. A key principle to apply: sCPs are guardrails that define maximum permissions for accounts.. 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 manages multiple AWS accounts under AWS Organizations. The security team wants to enforce a policy that prohibits launching Amazon EC2 instances of instance families g (GPU) and p (GPU) across all accounts to control costs. The team needs a centralized method to block these instance types at the organization level, and the policy must be applied proactively before any instance is launched. Which AWS solution should the team use?
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
Apply an AWS Organizations Service Control Policy (SCP) that denies ec2:RunInstances when the requested instance type belongs to the g or p families.
Option C is correct because AWS Organizations Service Control Policies (SCPs) are the only centralized mechanism that can proactively deny API actions across all accounts in the organization before the action occurs. By creating an SCP with a Deny effect on ec2:RunInstances where the instance type matches 'g*' or 'p*', the security team enforces the restriction at the root, OU, or account level, preventing any user or role from launching GPU instances regardless of their IAM permissions.
Key principle: SCPs are guardrails that define maximum permissions for accounts.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Create an AWS IAM policy with a Deny effect for ec2:RunInstances where the instance type starts with 'g' or 'p' and attach it to a specific IAM role in each account.
Why it's wrong here
This approach is not centralized and requires manual IAM policy configuration in every account. It can also be bypassed if users assume roles that do not have the policy attached. SCPs provide a single, enforceable boundary across all accounts.
- ✗
Use an AWS Config managed rule to detect GPU instance launches and trigger an auto-remediation action that terminates the instances.
Why it's wrong here
AWS Config is a detective control and can only react after the instance is already launched. Auto-remediation can terminate it, but this may incur costs for the brief period the instance runs and wastes resources. The requirement is for a proactive, preventive policy.
- ✓
Apply an AWS Organizations Service Control Policy (SCP) that denies ec2:RunInstances when the requested instance type belongs to the g or p families.
Why this is correct
SCPs are permission guardrails that can be applied at the organization, organizational unit, or account level. They proactively deny API actions before the resource is created, making them ideal for enforcing restrictions like prohibited instance types across multiple accounts. This is the correct centralized and preventive solution.
Related concept
SCPs are guardrails that define maximum permissions for accounts.
- ✗
Use AWS Trusted Advisor cost optimization checks to identify GPU instances and then manually disable them in each account.
Why it's wrong here
Trusted Advisor provides recommendations and cost-saving suggestions, but it cannot enforce policies or block resource creation. It is an advisory tool, not a preventive control mechanism.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing reactive services like AWS Config with preventive controls; candidates often pick Option B because it 'detects and fixes' the issue, but the question explicitly requires a proactive block before launch, which only SCPs or IAM permission boundaries can achieve at the organization level.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SCPs are evaluated before any IAM or resource-based policies, and they use a deny-by-default model where an explicit Deny in an SCP overrides any Allow in IAM policies. The condition key ec2:InstanceType supports wildcard matching, so 'g*' and 'p*' cover all GPU instance families (e.g., g4dn, p3) without blocking non-GPU types like t3 or m5. In a real-world scenario, this SCP can be applied to a specific OU containing cost-sensitive accounts, while allowing GPU instances in a separate OU for ML workloads.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- SCPs are guardrails that define maximum permissions for accounts.
- SCPs are applied at the AWS Organizations root, OU, or account level.
- SCPs proactively deny actions before resources are created.
- SCPs cannot grant permissions; they only restrict them.
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
SCPs are guardrails that define maximum permissions for accounts.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review sCPs are guardrails that define maximum permissions for accounts., then practise related CLF-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CLF-C02 question test?
Security and Compliance — This question tests Security and Compliance — SCPs are guardrails that define maximum permissions for accounts..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Apply an AWS Organizations Service Control Policy (SCP) that denies ec2:RunInstances when the requested instance type belongs to the g or p families. — Option C is correct because AWS Organizations Service Control Policies (SCPs) are the only centralized mechanism that can proactively deny API actions across all accounts in the organization before the action occurs. By creating an SCP with a Deny effect on ec2:RunInstances where the instance type matches 'g*' or 'p*', the security team enforces the restriction at the root, OU, or account level, preventing any user or role from launching GPU instances regardless of their IAM permissions.
What should I do if I get this CLF-C02 question wrong?
Review sCPs are guardrails that define maximum permissions for accounts., then practise related CLF-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
SCPs are guardrails that define maximum permissions for accounts.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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