The answer is AWS Firewall Manager, which is the correct solution for central security group management across a multi-account AWS Organizations setup. Firewall Manager allows you to create and enforce common security group policies across all VPCs and accounts from a single administrative account, ensuring consistent rule application without manual per-account configuration. On the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty ANS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of centralized policy management versus individual security controls—a common trap is confusing Firewall Manager with AWS Config (which audits but does not enforce) or Network ACLs (which are stateless and lack application-layer granularity). Remember that Firewall Manager is the only service that actively enforces security group rules across an organization, while Config only detects drift. Memory tip: "Firewall Manager enforces, Config reports, Flow Logs watch, NACLs filter statelessly."
ANS-C01 Network Management and Operations Practice Question
This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network management and operations. 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.
An organization has a multi-account setup using AWS Organizations. The security team wants to centrally manage and enforce security group rules across all VPCs in all accounts. Which solution should they implement?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use AWS Firewall Manager to create common security group policies.
Option A is correct because AWS Firewall Manager provides a centralized way to apply security group rules across accounts and VPCs in an organization. Option B is wrong because Network ACLs are stateless and not as flexible for application-level rules. Option C is wrong because AWS Config is for compliance and auditing, not enforcement. Option D is wrong because VPC Flow Logs are for monitoring, not enforcement.
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.
✗
Deploy a centralized network ACL in each VPC.
Why it's wrong here
NACLs are stateless and not centrally managed.
✗
Enable VPC Flow Logs and analyze using Amazon Detective.
Why it's wrong here
Flow Logs are for monitoring, not enforcement.
✗
Use AWS Config rules to remediate non-compliant security groups.
Why it's wrong here
Config can detect but not proactively enforce rules.
✓
Use AWS Firewall Manager to create common security group policies.
Why this is correct
Firewall Manager centrally manages security groups across accounts.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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 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.
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 Management and Operations — This question tests Network Management and Operations — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use AWS Firewall Manager to create common security group policies. — Option A is correct because AWS Firewall Manager provides a centralized way to apply security group rules across accounts and VPCs in an organization. Option B is wrong because Network ACLs are stateless and not as flexible for application-level rules. Option C is wrong because AWS Config is for compliance and auditing, not enforcement. Option D is wrong because VPC Flow Logs are for monitoring, not enforcement.
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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