This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security and compliance. 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 THREE measures can be taken to ensure that EC2 instances are compliant with a security policy that requires all instances to be in a VPC with specific tags? (Select THREE.)
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 detect non-compliant instances.
AWS Config rules can evaluate EC2 instances against a desired configuration, such as being in a VPC with specific tags. By using a custom or managed rule (e.g., 'required-tags' or 'ec2-instance-in-vpc'), you can detect non-compliant instances and trigger remediation actions. This provides continuous monitoring and reporting of compliance status without blocking the launch itself.
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 detect non-compliant instances.
Why this is correct
Detects missing tags or non-VPC instances.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use EC2 Auto Scaling to launch instances only in the correct VPC.
Why it's wrong here
Auto Scaling does not enforce tag requirements.
✓
Apply an SCP that denies ec2:RunInstances unless the instance is in the correct VPC.
Why this is correct
Prevents non-compliant launches.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Use a custom AWS Lambda function triggered by CloudTrail to tag instances.
Why this is correct
Automatically applies required tags.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use CloudWatch alarms to monitor instance launches.
Why it's wrong here
Alarms do not enforce compliance.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse detective controls (AWS Config) with preventive controls (SCPs) or assume that monitoring tools like CloudWatch can enforce compliance, when in fact they only alert on operational metrics.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS Config uses a rules engine that evaluates resource configurations against desired policies, using AWS Lambda for custom rules or AWS-managed rules. For VPC tag compliance, a custom rule can check the 'Tags' and 'VpcId' fields from the EC2 configuration item (CI) recorded in AWS Config. Under the hood, AWS Config aggregates configuration history and changes, enabling detective controls that can trigger auto-remediation via Systems Manager Automation or Lambda functions.
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 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
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.
Security and Compliance — This question tests Security and Compliance — 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 detect non-compliant instances. — AWS Config rules can evaluate EC2 instances against a desired configuration, such as being in a VPC with specific tags. By using a custom or managed rule (e.g., 'required-tags' or 'ec2-instance-in-vpc'), you can detect non-compliant instances and trigger remediation actions. This provides continuous monitoring and reporting of compliance status without blocking the launch itself.
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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Question Discussion
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