The correct answer is to apply a service control policy (SCP) that denies all actions to the affected account's root user and all IAM users. This works because SCPs act as a centralized permission guardrail at the AWS Organizations level, capable of restricting every principal—including the root user—within a member account, whereas IAM policies or permission boundaries cannot limit the root user. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of SCPs as the only mechanism to isolate a compromised AWS account by blocking all API calls from both root and IAM entities simultaneously. A common trap is choosing an IAM-based solution, which fails to cover the root user, or a resource-based policy that only affects specific services. Memory tip: SCP stands for “Super Control Power”—it’s the only tool that can shut down both root and users in one shot.
DOP-C02 Incident and Event Response Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of incident and event response. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
An organization uses a multi-account AWS environment with AWS Organizations. During an incident, the security team needs to isolate a compromised account by preventing all API calls from that account's root user and IAM users. Which action should be taken?
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) that denies all actions to the affected account's root user and all IAM users.
Option D is correct because an SCP can deny all actions from the root user and IAM users in the affected account. Option A is wrong because it only affects the root user. Option B is wrong because IAM policies cannot restrict root user. Option C is wrong because it only affects IAM users, not root.
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.
✗
Create a new IAM group with a deny-all policy and add all users to it.
Why it's wrong here
Root user is not a member of IAM groups.
✓
Apply a service control policy (SCP) that denies all actions to the affected account's root user and all IAM users.
Why this is correct
SCPs can restrict both root and IAM users in the account.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Attach an IAM policy denying all actions to all IAM users in that account.
Why it's wrong here
Root user is not affected by IAM policies.
✗
Apply an SCP that denies all actions to the root user only.
Why it's wrong here
This leaves IAM users unaffected.
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.
Incident and Event Response — This question tests Incident and Event Response — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Apply a service control policy (SCP) that denies all actions to the affected account's root user and all IAM users. — Option D is correct because an SCP can deny all actions from the root user and IAM users in the affected account. Option A is wrong because it only affects the root user. Option B is wrong because IAM policies cannot restrict root user. Option C is wrong because it only affects IAM users, not root.
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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