This DOP-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. 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 uses AWS Organizations with multiple accounts. The security team wants to restrict the use of specific instance types across all accounts to reduce costs and enforce compliance. Which approach should be used?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Apply a service control policy (SCP) to the root organizational unit to deny the instance types
SCPs in AWS Organizations allow central control over permissions across all accounts, including restricting instance types. Option A is wrong because IAM policies within accounts can be overridden by administrators. Option B is wrong because Config rules only detect non-compliance, not prevent. Option D is wrong because CloudFormation is not an enforcement mechanism across all accounts.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Use AWS Config rules to detect non-compliant instance types
Why it's wrong here
Config rules only detect, not prevent.
✓
Apply a service control policy (SCP) to the root organizational unit to deny the instance types
Why this is correct
SCPs can deny actions across all accounts.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Create IAM policies in each account to deny the use of the instance types
Why it's wrong here
IAM policies in each account can be changed by account administrators.
✗
Use AWS CloudFormation templates to enforce instance type selection
Why it's wrong here
CloudFormation templates can be bypassed by direct API calls.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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 ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related DOP-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Security and Compliance — This question tests Security and Compliance — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Apply a service control policy (SCP) to the root organizational unit to deny the instance types — SCPs in AWS Organizations allow central control over permissions across all accounts, including restricting instance types. Option A is wrong because IAM policies within accounts can be overridden by administrators. Option B is wrong because Config rules only detect non-compliance, not prevent. Option D is wrong because CloudFormation is not an enforcement mechanism across all accounts.
What should I do if I get this DOP-C02 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related DOP-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Question Discussion
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