The correct answer is to enable AWS CloudTrail and create a CloudWatch Events rule that triggers a Lambda function. This works because CloudTrail records every API call made to AWS, including those from the root account, and CloudWatch Events (now part of Amazon EventBridge) can filter these logs in real time by matching the `userIdentity.type` field set to `Root` and the `eventSource` set to `signin.amazonaws.com`. When a match occurs, the rule invokes a Lambda function to send alerts or perform automated remediation, providing immediate notification of suspicious root account activity. On the DVA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of combining CloudTrail’s auditing capability with event-driven monitoring—a common pattern for security compliance. A frequent trap is confusing CloudTrail with AWS Config or forgetting that CloudWatch Events rules can filter on specific JSON fields like `userIdentity.type`. Memory tip: think “Root Rule Runs Lambda” — the root account triggers a rule that runs a Lambda function for real-time alerts.
DVA-C02 Security Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security. 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. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. 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 has a requirement that all API calls to AWS must be logged and monitored for suspicious activity. They want to receive alerts when root account activity is detected. Which AWS service and configuration should they use?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable AWS CloudTrail and create a CloudWatch Events rule to match root account API calls and trigger a Lambda function.
Option B is correct because AWS CloudTrail captures all API calls, including those made by the root account. By creating a CloudWatch Events (now Amazon EventBridge) rule that matches the `userIdentity.type` field set to `Root` and the `eventSource` set to `signin.amazonaws.com`, you can trigger a Lambda function to send alerts or perform remediation. This provides real-time monitoring and notification for suspicious root account activity.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Enable AWS CloudTrail and configure SNS notifications for root account events.
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail does not directly send SNS.
✓
Enable AWS CloudTrail and create a CloudWatch Events rule to match root account API calls and trigger a Lambda function.
Why this is correct
Correct combination for alerting.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use VPC Flow Logs to capture API calls and analyze with Athena.
Why it's wrong here
Flow logs capture network traffic, not API calls.
✗
Use AWS Config rules to detect root account usage.
Why it's wrong here
Config monitors resource configuration, not API calls.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing CloudTrail's logging capability with direct notification configuration—candidates often think SNS can be attached directly to CloudTrail, but CloudTrail requires an intermediary like CloudWatch Events to filter and route events to SNS or Lambda.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
CloudTrail logs are delivered as JSON files to an S3 bucket, and CloudWatch Events (EventBridge) can match patterns on the `userIdentity` field—specifically `userIdentity.type: "Root"`—to trigger a target. The Lambda function can then parse the event detail for the `eventName` (e.g., `ConsoleLogin`) and send alerts via SNS or integrate with SIEM tools. A subtle behavior: root account activity from the AWS Management Console generates a `ConsoleLogin` event with `userIdentity.type: Root`, but programmatic access using root access keys produces events with `userIdentity.type: IAMUser` and `userIdentity.arn` containing `root`, so the rule must account for both patterns.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable AWS CloudTrail and create a CloudWatch Events rule to match root account API calls and trigger a Lambda function. — Option B is correct because AWS CloudTrail captures all API calls, including those made by the root account. By creating a CloudWatch Events (now Amazon EventBridge) rule that matches the `userIdentity.type` field set to `Root` and the `eventSource` set to `signin.amazonaws.com`, you can trigger a Lambda function to send alerts or perform remediation. This provides real-time monitoring and notification for suspicious root account activity.
What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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