Quick Answer
The answer is AWS CloudTrail. CloudTrail is the correct service because it records every API call made in an AWS account and automatically includes the source IP address and user agent string in each event record, providing the exact audit trail needed for compliance. On the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty ANS-C01 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between services that log API-level activity versus network-level or resource-level changes. A common trap is confusing CloudTrail with VPC Flow Logs, which capture IP traffic metadata but not API calls, or with CloudWatch Logs, which stores logs but does not generate them from API activity. Remember the memory tip: CloudTrail trails the API call itself, including who made it and from where, while Flow Logs only track the network flow. For any audit requirement involving source IP and user agent, always think CloudTrail first.
This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network security, compliance and governance. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 security engineer needs to audit all API calls made in an AWS account for compliance. The engineer wants to capture the source IP address and the user agent for each call. Which AWS service should be used?
AWS Config
Why wrong: AWS Config tracks resource configuration changes, not API calls.
AWS CloudTrail
CloudTrail logs API calls with source IP and user agent.
Amazon CloudWatch Logs
Why wrong: CloudWatch Logs can store logs but does not capture API calls automatically.
VPC Flow Logs
Why wrong: Flow Logs capture network traffic, not API calls.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AWS CloudTrail
AWS CloudTrail records API calls and includes source IP and user agent. Option B is wrong because VPC Flow Logs capture network traffic, not API calls. Option C is wrong because CloudWatch Logs stores logs but does not capture API calls directly. Option D is wrong because AWS Config records resource changes, not API calls.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AWS Config
Why it's wrong here
AWS Config tracks resource configuration changes, not API calls.
AWS CloudTrail
Why this is correct
CloudTrail logs API calls with source IP and user agent.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Amazon CloudWatch Logs
Why it's wrong here
CloudWatch Logs can store logs but does not capture API calls automatically.
VPC Flow Logs
Why it's wrong here
Flow Logs capture network traffic, not API calls.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which ANS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Network Security, Compliance and Governance — This question tests Network Security, Compliance and Governance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: AWS CloudTrail — AWS CloudTrail records API calls and includes source IP and user agent. Option B is wrong because VPC Flow Logs capture network traffic, not API calls. Option C is wrong because CloudWatch Logs stores logs but does not capture API calls directly. Option D is wrong because AWS Config records resource changes, not API calls.
Identify which ANS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This ANS-C01 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the ANS-C01 exam.
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