The correct answer is that the user cannot stop the instance because the explicit deny overrides the allow when the region condition is not met. This outcome hinges on the fundamental AWS IAM policy evaluation logic: an explicit deny always overrides any allow, regardless of the order of statements. In this scenario, the first statement grants StopInstances broadly, but the second statement denies all actions unless the request targets us-east-1. Since the user is operating in us-west-2, the region condition fails, triggering the explicit deny and blocking the stop action. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this tests your understanding of how IAM policy deny override allow with region condition works—a common trap is assuming that a more specific allow can bypass a general deny, but the deny always wins. A useful memory tip is “Deny is the final veto: if it says no, nothing else matters.”
SAP-C02 Design for New Solutions Practice Question
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of design for new solutions. 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 an IAM policy attached to a user as shown in the exhibit. The user is trying to stop an EC2 instance in the us-west-2 region. What will happen?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The user cannot stop the instance because the second statement denies all actions in regions other than us-east-1.
Option C is correct. The first statement allows DescribeInstances, StartInstances, StopInstances. The second statement denies all actions if the requested region is not us-east-1. Since us-west-2 is not us-east-1, the deny applies, and the user cannot stop the instance. Option A is wrong because the deny overrides the allow. Option B is wrong because the user cannot stop the instance. Option D is wrong because the action is explicitly denied.
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.
✗
The user cannot stop the instance because the condition checks the request region.
Why it's wrong here
The condition denies all actions in non-us-east-1 regions.
✓
The user cannot stop the instance because the second statement denies all actions in regions other than us-east-1.
Why this is correct
The deny statement with condition StringNotEquals us-east-1 denies the action in us-west-2.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
The user can stop the instance because the first statement allows it.
Why it's wrong here
Deny statements override allow statements.
✗
The user can stop the instance because the condition applies only to the Deny statement, but the Allow statement is unconditional.
Why it's wrong here
The Deny statement explicitly denies the action, overriding the Allow.
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 for New Solutions — This question tests Design for New Solutions — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The user cannot stop the instance because the second statement denies all actions in regions other than us-east-1. — Option C is correct. The first statement allows DescribeInstances, StartInstances, StopInstances. The second statement denies all actions if the requested region is not us-east-1. Since us-west-2 is not us-east-1, the deny applies, and the user cannot stop the instance. Option A is wrong because the deny overrides the allow. Option B is wrong because the user cannot stop the instance. Option D is wrong because the action is explicitly denied.
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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