- A
AWS Config rule with an automatic remediation action that terminates the instance after launch
Why wrong: AWS Config is a detective service that evaluates resource configurations after they are created. Even with automatic remediation, the instance is launched first (even briefly), which may violate the security policy. The requirement is for a preventive control that blocks the launch entirely, and Config does not provide preventive enforcement at the organization level.
- B
IAM policy with a condition key to deny ec2:RunInstances when a public IP is assigned
Why wrong: An IAM policy can be written with a condition to deny launch actions that assign a public IP, but IAM policies are applied to specific IAM users or roles within each individual account. They cannot be centrally enforced across all accounts from Organizations. Additionally, IAM policies do not apply to the root user, which could still launch instances with public IPs.
- C
Service control policy (SCP) in AWS Organizations
An SCP can be attached to the root organizational unit (OU) or the entire organization to deny the ec2:RunInstances action when the request includes a parameter for a public IP address (e.g., condition key 'ec2:AssociatePublicIpAddress'). SCPs are preventive policies that apply to all principals (including the root user) in all member accounts, and they are automatically inherited by new accounts added to the organization. This meets all the requirements.
- D
AWS Firewall Manager security group policy
Why wrong: AWS Firewall Manager is used to centrally configure and manage AWS WAF rules, AWS Shield Advanced protections, and VPC security groups across accounts. It does not have the ability to control EC2 launch parameters, such as whether an instance receives a public IP address. It operates at the network security layer, not the instance provisioning layer.
Quick Answer
The answer is a service control policy (SCP) in AWS Organizations. This is correct because an SCP acts as a preventive guardrail that centrally defines the maximum permissions for all accounts in the organization, and it can deny the ec2:RunInstances action when a request includes a public IP assignment by using the ec2:AssociatePublicIpAddress condition key. On the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner CLF-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how SCPs enforce organization-wide restrictions without needing per-account configuration, often appearing as a distractor against IAM policies or VPC features. A common trap is confusing SCPs with IAM policies—remember that SCPs set boundaries for all accounts, while IAM policies grant permissions within those boundaries. For a memory tip, think of SCP as the "security cop" that blocks public IPs at the organization level, ensuring no EC2 instance slips through with a public IPv4 address.
CLF-C02 Security and Compliance Practice Question
This CLF-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security and compliance. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. A key principle to apply: sCPs are preventive guardrails that set 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 uses AWS Organizations to manage multiple AWS accounts. The security team wants to ensure that no Amazon EC2 instance can be launched with a public IPv4 address in any member account. The team needs a preventive control that centrally blocks the launch action if a public IP is assigned, and the control must automatically apply to all existing and future accounts in the organization. Which AWS feature should the security team use to meet these requirements?
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
Service control policy (SCP) in AWS Organizations
Service control policies (SCPs) in AWS Organizations allow you to centrally define the maximum available permissions for all accounts in the organization. By creating an SCP that denies the ec2:RunInstances action when the request includes a public IP address assignment (using the ec2:AssociatePublicIpAddress condition key), you can prevent any EC2 instance from being launched with a public IPv4 address. This control applies automatically to all existing and future member accounts without requiring per-account configuration.
Key principle: SCPs are preventive guardrails that set 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.
- ✗
AWS Config rule with an automatic remediation action that terminates the instance after launch
Why it's wrong here
AWS Config is a detective service that evaluates resource configurations after they are created. Even with automatic remediation, the instance is launched first (even briefly), which may violate the security policy. The requirement is for a preventive control that blocks the launch entirely, and Config does not provide preventive enforcement at the organization level.
- ✗
IAM policy with a condition key to deny ec2:RunInstances when a public IP is assigned
Why it's wrong here
An IAM policy can be written with a condition to deny launch actions that assign a public IP, but IAM policies are applied to specific IAM users or roles within each individual account. They cannot be centrally enforced across all accounts from Organizations. Additionally, IAM policies do not apply to the root user, which could still launch instances with public IPs.
- ✓
Service control policy (SCP) in AWS Organizations
Why this is correct
An SCP can be attached to the root organizational unit (OU) or the entire organization to deny the ec2:RunInstances action when the request includes a parameter for a public IP address (e.g., condition key 'ec2:AssociatePublicIpAddress'). SCPs are preventive policies that apply to all principals (including the root user) in all member accounts, and they are automatically inherited by new accounts added to the organization. This meets all the requirements.
Related concept
SCPs are preventive guardrails that set maximum permissions for accounts.
- ✗
AWS Firewall Manager security group policy
Why it's wrong here
AWS Firewall Manager is used to centrally configure and manage AWS WAF rules, AWS Shield Advanced protections, and VPC security groups across accounts. It does not have the ability to control EC2 launch parameters, such as whether an instance receives a public IP address. It operates at the network security layer, not the instance provisioning layer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse SCPs with IAM policies, not realizing that SCPs are the only mechanism in AWS Organizations that can centrally and preventively restrict actions across all accounts, including future ones, without requiring per-account configuration.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The SCP uses the ec2:AssociatePublicIpAddress condition key to deny the ec2:RunInstances action when the request includes a public IP assignment. This condition key evaluates the NetworkInterface.AssociatePublicIpAddress parameter in the RunInstances API call, which is set to true when a public IPv4 address is automatically assigned (e.g., in a default VPC subnet) or explicitly requested. In real-world scenarios, this SCP can be combined with an SCP that denies modifying VPC attributes (e.g., enableDnsHostnames) to prevent workarounds that would allow public IP assignment after launch.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- SCPs are preventive guardrails that set maximum permissions for accounts.
- SCPs apply to all IAM users, roles, and the root user in affected accounts.
- SCPs are centrally managed in AWS Organizations and inherited by member accounts.
- SCPs can deny specific actions based on conditions, like `ec2:AssociatePublicIpAddress`.
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 preventive guardrails that set maximum permissions for accounts.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review sCPs are preventive guardrails that set maximum permissions for accounts., then practise related CLF-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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Security and Compliance — study guide chapter
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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 preventive guardrails that set maximum permissions for accounts..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Service control policy (SCP) in AWS Organizations — Service control policies (SCPs) in AWS Organizations allow you to centrally define the maximum available permissions for all accounts in the organization. By creating an SCP that denies the ec2:RunInstances action when the request includes a public IP address assignment (using the ec2:AssociatePublicIpAddress condition key), you can prevent any EC2 instance from being launched with a public IPv4 address. This control applies automatically to all existing and future member accounts without requiring per-account configuration.
What should I do if I get this CLF-C02 question wrong?
Review sCPs are preventive guardrails that set 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 preventive guardrails that set maximum permissions for accounts.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This CLF-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services 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 CLF-C02 exam.
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