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 has implemented an SCP that denies the creation of IAM users. However, a developer in the 'development' account was able to create an IAM user. The DevOps engineer is asked to investigate. The SCP is attached to the root organizational unit (OU) and also to the 'development' OU. The 'development' account is a member of the 'development' OU. The SCP effect is 'Deny' on the 'iam:CreateUser' action. The developer's IAM permissions are managed by an IAM policy that allows 'iam:*'. The engineer checks CloudTrail and sees that the CreateUser API call succeeded. What is the most likely reason?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The 'development' account is the management account of the organization, so SCPs do not apply to it.
SCPs do not affect the management account of AWS Organizations. The 'development' account might be the management account. If it is, SCPs do not apply. Option A is incorrect because SCPs are not evaluated by IAM policies. Option B is incorrect because SCPs are not resource-based policies. Option C is plausible but the management account is the most likely.
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.
✓
The 'development' account is the management account of the organization, so SCPs do not apply to it.
Why this is correct
SCPs do not affect the management account.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
The SCP is attached at the root OU but not inherited by the 'development' OU due to an explicit deny on inheritance.
Why it's wrong here
SCPs are inherited by default unless there is an explicit deny on inheritance, which is not mentioned.
✗
The SCP is not effective because the developer's IAM policy explicitly allows iam:CreateUser and SCPs cannot override explicit allows.
Why it's wrong here
SCPs are deny-by-default; they can override explicit allows.
✗
The SCP is not applied because the account has a resource-based policy that overrides the SCP.
Why it's wrong here
Resource-based policies do not override SCPs.
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 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 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: The 'development' account is the management account of the organization, so SCPs do not apply to it. — SCPs do not affect the management account of AWS Organizations. The 'development' account might be the management account. If it is, SCPs do not apply. Option A is incorrect because SCPs are not evaluated by IAM policies. Option B is incorrect because SCPs are not resource-based policies. Option C is plausible but the management account is the most likely.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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