- A
Use a service control policy to deny s3:DeleteObject on the CloudTrail S3 bucket.
Correct. An SCP denying s3:DeleteObject on the CloudTrail bucket is a preventive control that prevents deletion of log files across the organization.
- B
Enable MFA Delete on the CloudTrail S3 bucket.
Why wrong: Incorrect. MFA Delete adds a requirement for MFA but does not deny deletion; it can be bypassed if MFA is provided. It is not a definitive preventive measure.
- C
Apply an SCP that denies cloudtrail:StopLogging and cloudtrail:DeleteTrail for all accounts.
Correct. An SCP denying cloudtrail:StopLogging and cloudtrail:DeleteTrail prevents disabling of CloudTrail at the organizational level.
- D
Enable CloudTrail log file validation.
Why wrong: Incorrect. CloudTrail log file validation is a detective control that verifies integrity after the fact; it does not prevent the actions of disabling CloudTrail or deleting logs.
- E
Attach an IAM policy to all users denying cloudtrail:StopLogging.
Why wrong: Incorrect. An IAM policy attached to users can be overridden by account administrators with higher privileges, making it less effective than an SCP.
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 uses AWS Organizations with SCPs to enforce security policies. The security team needs to ensure that no IAM user or role can disable AWS CloudTrail or delete CloudTrail logs. Which TWO approaches should be combined to achieve this? (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 a service control policy to deny s3:DeleteObject on the CloudTrail S3 bucket.
To prevent IAM users and roles from disabling CloudTrail or deleting logs, a combination of two preventive controls is needed. Option A applies a service control policy (SCP) that denies s3:DeleteObject on the CloudTrail S3 bucket, preventing log deletion at the organizational level. Option C applies an SCP that denies cloudtrail:StopLogging and cloudtrail:DeleteTrail, preventing disabling of CloudTrail itself. Both SCPs cannot be overridden by account administrators. Option D (log file validation) is a detective control—it detects tampering or deletion after it occurs, but does not prevent the action. Options B (MFA Delete) and E (IAM policy) are weaker or can be overridden, making them less reliable for this requirement.
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.
- ✓
Use a service control policy to deny s3:DeleteObject on the CloudTrail S3 bucket.
Why this is correct
Correct. An SCP denying s3:DeleteObject on the CloudTrail bucket is a preventive control that prevents deletion of log files across the organization.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Enable MFA Delete on the CloudTrail S3 bucket.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. MFA Delete adds a requirement for MFA but does not deny deletion; it can be bypassed if MFA is provided. It is not a definitive preventive measure.
- ✓
Apply an SCP that denies cloudtrail:StopLogging and cloudtrail:DeleteTrail for all accounts.
Why this is correct
Correct. An SCP denying cloudtrail:StopLogging and cloudtrail:DeleteTrail prevents disabling of CloudTrail at the organizational level.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Enable CloudTrail log file validation.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. CloudTrail log file validation is a detective control that verifies integrity after the fact; it does not prevent the actions of disabling CloudTrail or deleting logs.
- ✗
Attach an IAM policy to all users denying cloudtrail:StopLogging.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. An IAM policy attached to users can be overridden by account administrators with higher privileges, making it less effective than an SCP.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
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.
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Security and Compliance — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DOP-C02 question test?
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: Use a service control policy to deny s3:DeleteObject on the CloudTrail S3 bucket. — To prevent IAM users and roles from disabling CloudTrail or deleting logs, a combination of two preventive controls is needed. Option A applies a service control policy (SCP) that denies s3:DeleteObject on the CloudTrail S3 bucket, preventing log deletion at the organizational level. Option C applies an SCP that denies cloudtrail:StopLogging and cloudtrail:DeleteTrail, preventing disabling of CloudTrail itself. Both SCPs cannot be overridden by account administrators. Option D (log file validation) is a detective control—it detects tampering or deletion after it occurs, but does not prevent the action. Options B (MFA Delete) and E (IAM policy) are weaker or can be overridden, making them less reliable for this requirement.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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