The correct answer is to attach a deny SCP to the development OU that explicitly denies the unwanted services. This works because SCPs are inherited from the root down through the OU hierarchy, and a deny statement at a child OU overrides any allow from a parent, effectively creating a service restriction boundary without altering the root-level allow-all policy. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of SCP evaluation logic and the principle that SCPs act as guardrails, not as IAM permissions—they cannot grant access, only allow or deny it. A common trap is confusing SCPs with IAM permissions boundaries or tag policies; remember that tag policies govern tagging compliance, not service usage, and permissions boundaries cannot override an explicit SCP deny. Memory tip: think of SCPs as a “deny-first” filter—attach a deny at the OU level to block services, and the root allow will still apply everywhere else.
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 uses AWS Organizations with a hierarchical structure of organizational units (OUs). The security team needs to restrict the use of specific AWS services in the development OU. However, the SCP applied at the root level allows all services. Which TWO SCP strategies can restrict services for the development OU without affecting other OUs? (Choose TWO.)
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 that denies access to the unwanted services and attach it to the development OU.
Option A (attach SCP to the OU) and Option D (use a deny SCP for specific services) are correct. Option B is incorrect because tag policies don't restrict services. Option C is incorrect because IAM permissions boundaries do not override SCPs. Option E is incorrect because it would affect all OUs.
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.
✗
Apply a tag policy to the development OU that requires tags for all resources.
Why it's wrong here
Tag policies do not restrict service usage.
✗
Modify the root-level SCP to deny the unwanted services.
Why it's wrong here
This would affect all OUs, not just development.
✓
Use a service control policy that denies access to the unwanted services and attach it to the development OU.
Why this is correct
Deny SCPs are effective for restricting services.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✓
Attach a deny SCP to the development OU that explicitly denies the unwanted services.
Why this is correct
Deny SCPs can be attached to specific OUs to restrict services.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Create an IAM permissions boundary for all users in the development OU.
Why it's wrong here
Permissions boundaries do not override SCPs.
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: Use a service control policy that denies access to the unwanted services and attach it to the development OU. — Option A (attach SCP to the OU) and Option D (use a deny SCP for specific services) are correct. Option B is incorrect because tag policies don't restrict services. Option C is incorrect because IAM permissions boundaries do not override SCPs. Option E is incorrect because it would affect all OUs.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
This SAP-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SAP-C02 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.