The correct answer is to use a service control policy (SCP) to deny the ec2:AuthorizeSecurityGroupIngress action when the rule does not comply with the standard, paired with AWS Config to detect and remediate non-compliant security groups. SCPs operate at the AWS Organizations level to enforce SSH security group rules across all accounts by blocking non-compliant inbound changes before they happen, while AWS Config provides continuous monitoring and automated remediation for any groups that slip through. On the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty ANS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of preventive versus detective controls in a multi-account architecture—a common trap is confusing IAM roles (which don’t scale across accounts) or CloudTrail (which only logs) with true enforcement. Remember the memory tip: SCPs are the bouncer at the door, AWS Config is the security camera watching the room.
ANS-C01 Network Security, Compliance and Governance Practice Question
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 company is designing a network security architecture for a multi-account environment using AWS Organizations. The security team needs to enforce that all VPCs use a specific set of security group rules for inbound SSH access. Which TWO steps should the team take? (Choose two.)
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 security groups and trigger automatic remediation.
SCPs can deny creation of security groups that don't meet rules, and AWS Config can detect non-compliant groups. Options B and D are correct. Option A is wrong because IAM roles don't enforce across accounts. Option C is wrong because CloudTrail logs but doesn't enforce. Option E is wrong because GuardDuty is for threats.
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 AWS Config rules to detect non-compliant security groups and trigger automatic remediation.
Why this is correct
Config can detect and remediate.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Enable AWS CloudTrail to log all security group changes and send alerts.
Why it's wrong here
Logging does not enforce compliance.
✗
Enable Amazon GuardDuty to monitor for malicious traffic.
Why it's wrong here
GuardDuty is for threat detection, not compliance.
✓
Use a service control policy (SCP) to deny the ec2:AuthorizeSecurityGroupIngress action if the rule does not comply with the standard.
Why this is correct
SCPs can deny non-compliant actions.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Create an IAM role in each account that only allows creation of compliant security groups.
Why it's wrong here
IAM roles don't enforce across accounts centrally.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
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 ANS-C01 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Network Security, Compliance and Governance — This question tests Network Security, Compliance and Governance — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use AWS Config rules to detect non-compliant security groups and trigger automatic remediation. — SCPs can deny creation of security groups that don't meet rules, and AWS Config can detect non-compliant groups. Options B and D are correct. Option A is wrong because IAM roles don't enforce across accounts. Option C is wrong because CloudTrail logs but doesn't enforce. Option E is wrong because GuardDuty is for threats.
What should I do if I get this ANS-C01 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 ANS-C01 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Question Discussion
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