- A
Use AWS Config rules to evaluate resource configurations against desired policies.
AWS Config can evaluate compliance and detect drift.
- B
Use AWS CodePipeline to automatically redeploy infrastructure when changes are detected.
Why wrong: CodePipeline is for CI/CD, not drift detection.
- C
Use AWS Systems Manager Patch Manager to keep instances patched.
Why wrong: Patch Manager does not detect configuration drift.
- D
Use AWS CloudTrail to monitor API calls that modify resources.
Why wrong: CloudTrail logs changes but does not compare against a desired state.
- E
Use AWS CloudFormation drift detection to identify resources that have been modified outside of CloudFormation.
CloudFormation drift detection compares actual resource state with template.
Question 269 of 1,750
DOP-C02 Configuration Management and IaC Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of configuration management and iac. 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.
Which TWO options are valid approaches for managing configuration drift in an AWS environment? (Choose two.)
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use AWS Config rules to evaluate resource configurations against desired policies.
AWS Config rules continuously evaluate your resource configurations against desired policies defined in managed or custom rules. When a resource configuration changes and violates a rule, AWS Config can trigger remediation actions or notify you, directly addressing configuration drift by detecting non-compliant resources in near real-time.
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.
- ✓
Use AWS Config rules to evaluate resource configurations against desired policies.
Why this is correct
AWS Config can evaluate compliance and detect drift.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use AWS CodePipeline to automatically redeploy infrastructure when changes are detected.
Why it's wrong here
CodePipeline is for CI/CD, not drift detection.
- ✗
Use AWS Systems Manager Patch Manager to keep instances patched.
Why it's wrong here
Patch Manager does not detect configuration drift.
- ✗
Use AWS CloudTrail to monitor API calls that modify resources.
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail logs changes but does not compare against a desired state.
- ✓
Use AWS CloudFormation drift detection to identify resources that have been modified outside of CloudFormation.
Why this is correct
CloudFormation drift detection compares actual resource state with template.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse monitoring API calls (CloudTrail) with evaluating configurations against policies (AWS Config), or assume that redeploying via CodePipeline automatically corrects drift without a detection mechanism.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS Config drift detection works by recording configuration items (CIs) for supported resources and comparing them against the desired configuration defined in a Config rule. For CloudFormation, drift detection explicitly compares the current stack resources' actual properties with the template-defined properties, flagging any resource that was modified outside of CloudFormation (e.g., via the console or CLI). This is distinct from AWS Config rules, which evaluate against custom or managed policies but do not inherently know the CloudFormation template intent.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DOP-C02 question test?
Configuration Management and IaC — This question tests Configuration Management and IaC — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use AWS Config rules to evaluate resource configurations against desired policies. — AWS Config rules continuously evaluate your resource configurations against desired policies defined in managed or custom rules. When a resource configuration changes and violates a rule, AWS Config can trigger remediation actions or notify you, directly addressing configuration drift by detecting non-compliant resources in near real-time.
What should I do if I get this DOP-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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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