Quick Answer
The answer is VPC Flow Logs, as this AWS service captures IP traffic information for network interfaces, enabling you to identify the source IP addresses and traffic patterns from a compromised EC2 instance used in an outbound DDoS attack. Unlike CloudTrail, which records API calls, or GuardDuty, which provides threat detection alerts without raw traffic logs, VPC Flow Logs deliver detailed metadata about every packet accepted or rejected by the instance’s elastic network interface. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between logging, monitoring, and security services during incident response—a common trap is confusing CloudTrail’s API-level logging with network-level logging. Remember the memory tip: “Flow for flows, Trail for calls” to quickly recall that VPC Flow Logs handle network traffic while CloudTrail handles API activity.
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of incident and event response. 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 DevOps engineer is investigating a security incident where an EC2 instance was used to launch an outbound DDoS attack. Which AWS service can provide details about the source IP addresses and network traffic from the instance?
VPC Flow Logs
VPC Flow Logs capture IP traffic metadata.
AWS CloudTrail
Why wrong: CloudTrail does not capture network traffic.
Amazon GuardDuty
Why wrong: GuardDuty provides findings, not raw traffic logs.
AWS Config
Why wrong: Config records configuration changes, not traffic.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
VPC Flow Logs
Option B is correct because VPC Flow Logs capture IP traffic information for network interfaces. Option A (CloudTrail) records API calls, not network traffic. Option C (GuardDuty) is a threat detection service but does not provide raw traffic logs. Option D (Config) records configuration changes.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
VPC Flow Logs
Why this is correct
VPC Flow Logs capture IP traffic metadata.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
AWS CloudTrail
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail does not capture network traffic.
Amazon GuardDuty
Why it's wrong here
GuardDuty provides findings, not raw traffic logs.
AWS Config
Why it's wrong here
Config records configuration changes, not traffic.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
What to study next
Identify which DOP-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Incident and Event Response — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Incident and Event Response practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All DOP-C02 questions
1,740 questions across all exam domains
AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
DOP-C02 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to Configuration Management and IaC.
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to Resilient Cloud Solutions.
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to Monitoring and Logging.
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to Incident and Event Response.
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to Security and Compliance.
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to SDLC Automation.
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to DOP-C02 fundamentals.
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to DOP-C02 scenario.
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to DOP-C02 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Incident and Event Response — This question tests Incident and Event Response — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: VPC Flow Logs — Option B is correct because VPC Flow Logs capture IP traffic information for network interfaces. Option A (CloudTrail) records API calls, not network traffic. Option C (GuardDuty) is a threat detection service but does not provide raw traffic logs. Option D (Config) records configuration changes.
Identify which DOP-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This DOP-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 DOP-C02 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.