The correct answer is to enforce approved AMI across multi-account environments by combining an SCP that denies ec2:RunInstances for non-approved AMI IDs with an AWS Config rule that detects noncompliant instances and triggers remediation. This works because SCPs provide a preventive guardrail at the organization level, blocking any launch that doesn’t match the approved list, while Config acts as a detective control to catch any instances that slip through or were launched before the policy was applied. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the layered defense model—preventive versus detective controls—and the common trap is choosing IAM policies, which are account-specific and cannot easily enforce a global AMI list across accounts, or confusing AMI sharing via RAM with policy enforcement. A key memory tip is “SCP to stop, Config to catch”—the SCP prevents the launch, and Config catches any noncompliant leftovers.
SAP-C02 Practice Question: Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of design solutions for organizational complexity. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 must use a specific AMI ID that is approved by the security team. Which two actions should the team take to achieve this? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create an SCP that denies ec2:RunInstances unless the ami id matches an approved list.
Options A and D are correct. An SCP can deny the ec2:RunInstances action if the AMI ID is not in an approved list, and AWS Config can detect noncompliant instances. Option B is wrong because AMI IDs are account-specific and shared via RAM. Option C is wrong because IAM policies cannot enforce specific AMIs across accounts easily. Option E is wrong because CloudTrail does not prevent launches.
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 SCP that denies ec2:RunInstances unless the ami id matches an approved list.
Why this is correct
SCPs can deny actions based on conditions.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Use AWS Resource Access Manager to share the approved AMI with all accounts.
Why it's wrong here
Sharing AMIs does not enforce their use.
✓
Use AWS Config rules to detect instances launched with non-approved AMIs and trigger remediation.
Why this is correct
Config can detect and auto-remediate (e.g., terminate).
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Use AWS CloudTrail to monitor instance launches and send alerts.
Why it's wrong here
Alerts do not prevent launches.
✗
Attach an IAM policy to each account's IAM roles that allows only approved AMIs.
Why it's wrong here
IAM policies are not account-wide and may be bypassed by root.
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 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: Create an SCP that denies ec2:RunInstances unless the ami id matches an approved list. — Options A and D are correct. An SCP can deny the ec2:RunInstances action if the AMI ID is not in an approved list, and AWS Config can detect noncompliant instances. Option B is wrong because AMI IDs are account-specific and shared via RAM. Option C is wrong because IAM policies cannot enforce specific AMIs across accounts easily. Option E is wrong because CloudTrail does not prevent launches.
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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