Quick Answer
The answer is the Deny effect. This is correct because an SCP with a Deny effect explicitly prohibits specified actions, such as disabling AWS Shield Advanced or AWS Config, across all accounts in an AWS Organization, overriding any Allow permissions in IAM policies. On the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty ANS-C01 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how SCPs function as a centralized guardrail—unlike IAM Deny statements, which can be bypassed if an SCP grants Allow at the root level. A common trap is confusing SCP effects with IAM policy effects; remember that SCPs set a maximum permission boundary, so Deny in an SCP is absolute, while Allow only permits what is not blocked. For a quick memory tip: think of SCP Deny as a "hard block" that cannot be overridden by any lower-level Allow, making it the only reliable way to enforce security controls like preventing the disabling of Shield or Config.
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 uses AWS Organizations with SCPs to restrict access. The security team wants to ensure that no IAM user or role can disable AWS Shield Advanced protections. Which SCP effect should be used?
Deny in the IAM policy
Why wrong: Deny in an IAM policy can be overridden by SCP Allow; SCP Deny is more definitive.
Deny
Deny in an SCP explicitly prohibits the specified actions.
Allow
Why wrong: Allow in an SCP does not restrict; it only permits actions.
Block
Why wrong: There is no 'Block' effect in AWS SCPs; only Allow and Deny exist.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Deny
Option C is correct because the Deny effect in an SCP explicitly prohibits actions. Option A is wrong because Allow in an SCP does not restrict, it only permits. Option B is wrong because Deny in an IAM policy is not as effective when SCPs are present; SCPs can override IAM allows. Option D is wrong because there is no 'Block' effect in SCPs.
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
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Deny in the IAM policy
Why it's wrong here
Deny in an IAM policy can be overridden by SCP Allow; SCP Deny is more definitive.
Deny
Why this is correct
Deny in an SCP explicitly prohibits the specified actions.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Allow
Why it's wrong here
Allow in an SCP does not restrict; it only permits actions.
Block
Why it's wrong here
There is no 'Block' effect in AWS SCPs; only Allow and Deny exist.
Common exam traps
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
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
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
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.
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FAQ
Network Security, Compliance and Governance — This question tests Network Security, Compliance and Governance — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
The correct answer is: Deny — Option C is correct because the Deny effect in an SCP explicitly prohibits actions. Option A is wrong because Allow in an SCP does not restrict, it only permits. Option B is wrong because Deny in an IAM policy is not as effective when SCPs are present; SCPs can override IAM allows. Option D is wrong because there is no 'Block' effect in SCPs.
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.
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company uses AWS Organizations with SCPs to restrict access. The security team needs to prevent users in the 'Developers' OU from disabling AWS Config or modifying its rules. Which SCP effect should be used?
mediumWhy B: Option B is correct because a Deny effect explicitly blocks the action, overriding any Allow. Option A is wrong because Allow would not prevent the action. Option C is wrong because SCPs don't have a Block effect. Option D is wrong because NotAction is a condition element, not an effect.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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