The answer is to use an AWS Config rule to check the AMI ID and AWS Systems Manager Automation to remediate non-compliant instances. This combination works because AWS Config continuously evaluates your EC2 instances against a custom or managed rule that verifies the AMI ID matches the approved list, while Systems Manager Automation provides a built-in, serverless remediation action—such as stopping or terminating the instance—without needing to write custom code. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the “detect-and-remediate” pattern, where Config is the detective control and SSM Automation is the corrective action. A common trap is choosing AWS CloudTrail, which only logs API calls, or Service Control Policies, which cannot enforce specific resource configurations like AMI IDs. Memory tip: think “Config catches, Automation fixes” to remember the pairing for enforcing approved AMI config SSM automation.
DOP-C02 Security and Compliance Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security and compliance. 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.
A company needs to enforce that all EC2 instances launched in an AWS account use a specific Amazon Machine Image (AMI) that is approved by the security team. Which combination of services 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
✓
AWS Config rule to check AMI ID and AWS Systems Manager Automation to remediate non-compliant instances
AWS Config can detect non-compliant instances and AWS Systems Manager Automation can automatically remediate by stopping or terminating them. Option B is correct. Option A (SCP) cannot enforce AMI IDs. Option C (CloudTrail) only logs. Option D (Lambda) could be used but is not the primary service.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AWS Config rule to check AMI ID and AWS Systems Manager Automation to remediate non-compliant instances
Why this is correct
Config detects, Systems Manager automates remediation.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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AWS Lambda and Amazon SNS
Why it's wrong here
Not the primary services; Config and Systems Manager are more appropriate.
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AWS CloudTrail and Amazon CloudWatch Events
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail logs, but does not enforce or remediate.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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. NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated. 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.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DOP-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Security and Compliance — This question tests Security and Compliance — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: AWS Config rule to check AMI ID and AWS Systems Manager Automation to remediate non-compliant instances — AWS Config can detect non-compliant instances and AWS Systems Manager Automation can automatically remediate by stopping or terminating them. Option B is correct. Option A (SCP) cannot enforce AMI IDs. Option C (CloudTrail) only logs. Option D (Lambda) could be used but is not the primary service.
What should I do if I get this DOP-C02 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DOP-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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