The correct answer is to use a Service Control Policy (SCP) that denies ec2:RunInstances unless the request includes the required tag. This works because SCPs set permission boundaries across all accounts in AWS Organizations, allowing you to enforce required tags on EC2 instances at the root level before any IAM policies are evaluated. By applying a condition that denies the action when the ‘CostCenter’ tag is missing, you prevent non-compliant instances from being launched entirely, rather than just detecting them after the fact. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of preventive versus detective controls—a common trap is choosing AWS Config, which is detective and cannot block the API call. Remember the memory tip: “SCP stops the launch, Config just writes the audit.”
SAP-C02 Practice Question: Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of design solutions for organizational complexity. 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 has a multi-account environment with AWS Organizations. The security team wants to enforce that all EC2 instances launched in any account must have a specific tag key 'CostCenter'. Which approach should be used?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use a Service Control Policy (SCP) that denies ec2:RunInstances unless the request includes the required tag.
Option B is correct because you can use an SCP to deny ec2:RunInstances if the request does not include the required tag. Option A is wrong because AWS Config can detect non-compliance but not prevent it. Option C is wrong because tagging is not automatic; it must be enforced. Option D is wrong because IAM policies in individual accounts can be overridden by SCPs, but SCPs are more effective for organization-wide 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.
✗
Create an IAM policy in each account that requires the tag for ec2:RunInstances.
Why it's wrong here
While this could work, SCPs are more centralized and cannot be overridden by account admins.
✓
Use a Service Control Policy (SCP) that denies ec2:RunInstances unless the request includes the required tag.
Why this is correct
SCPs can conditionally deny actions based on tags.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Use AWS Config rules to detect untagged instances and trigger an AWS Lambda function to tag them.
Why it's wrong here
This is reactive, not preventive.
✗
Configure the EC2 service to automatically add the tag to all instances.
Why it's wrong here
EC2 does not have a feature to automatically add tags on launch.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
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 SAP-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity — This question tests Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a Service Control Policy (SCP) that denies ec2:RunInstances unless the request includes the required tag. — Option B is correct because you can use an SCP to deny ec2:RunInstances if the request does not include the required tag. Option A is wrong because AWS Config can detect non-compliance but not prevent it. Option C is wrong because tagging is not automatic; it must be enforced. Option D is wrong because IAM policies in individual accounts can be overridden by SCPs, but SCPs are more effective for organization-wide enforcement.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 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 SAP-C02 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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