- A
The security account is not authorized in each workload account's Config settings. The security team must add the security account as an authorized aggregator in each workload account.
Config aggregator requires explicit authorization from source accounts.
- B
AWS CloudTrail is not enabled in workload accounts. The security team must enable CloudTrail.
Why wrong: CloudTrail is not required for Config aggregation.
- C
Service Control Policies are blocking cross-account access. The security team must modify SCPs to allow Config aggregation.
Why wrong: SCPs do not block Config aggregation by default.
- D
AWS Config in workload accounts is not recording security group changes. The security team must enable recording for security groups.
Why wrong: The stem says Config is recording changes.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the security account must be added as an authorized aggregator in each workload account’s AWS Config settings. This is because an AWS Config aggregator cannot pull data from a source account unless that source account explicitly authorizes the aggregator account to access its configuration data—a cross-account authorization step that is separate from simply enabling Config or granting IAM permissions. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the multi-account aggregation model, where the common trap is assuming that IAM permissions alone suffice, when in fact each member account must list the aggregator account in its Config settings under “Authorized Aggregator Accounts.” A helpful memory tip: think of it like a guest list—the aggregator account needs a formal invitation from each member account before it can view the party’s data.
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 financial services company uses AWS Organizations with a multi-account structure: a central security account, a shared services account, and multiple workload accounts. The security team needs to centrally manage and audit all changes to security groups across all accounts. They have implemented AWS Config with an aggregator in the security account. However, they notice that changes to security groups in workload accounts are not appearing in the aggregator. The workload accounts have AWS Config enabled and are recording security group changes. The security account has the necessary cross-account permissions. What is the most likely cause and solution?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The security account is not authorized in each workload account's Config settings. The security team must add the security account as an authorized aggregator in each workload account.
Option A is correct because AWS Config aggregator requires an authorized aggregator account that is set up in each source account. Without this authorization, the aggregator cannot collect data. Option B is wrong because Config is recording changes. Option C is wrong because CloudTrail is not needed for Config aggregation. Option D is wrong because SCPs do not block Config aggregation.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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 security account is not authorized in each workload account's Config settings. The security team must add the security account as an authorized aggregator in each workload account.
Why this is correct
Config aggregator requires explicit authorization from source accounts.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
AWS CloudTrail is not enabled in workload accounts. The security team must enable CloudTrail.
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail is not required for Config aggregation.
- ✗
Service Control Policies are blocking cross-account access. The security team must modify SCPs to allow Config aggregation.
Why it's wrong here
SCPs do not block Config aggregation by default.
- ✗
AWS Config in workload accounts is not recording security group changes. The security team must enable recording for security groups.
Why it's wrong here
The stem says Config is recording changes.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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 Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SAP-C02 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
- →
Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All SAP-C02 questions
1,746 questions across all exam domains
- →
AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
SAP-C02 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related SAP-C02 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity practice questions
Practise SAP-C02 questions linked to Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity.
Design for New Solutions practice questions
Practise SAP-C02 questions linked to Design for New Solutions.
Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions practice questions
Practise SAP-C02 questions linked to Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions.
Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization practice questions
Practise SAP-C02 questions linked to Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization.
SAA-C03 VPC practice questions
Practise SAP-C02 questions linked to SAA-C03 VPC.
SAA-C03 S3 lifecycle policy questions
Practise SAP-C02 questions linked to SAA-C03 S3 lifecycle policy questions.
SAA-C03 RDS Multi-AZ questions
Practise SAP-C02 questions linked to SAA-C03 RDS Multi-AZ questions.
SAA-C03 IAM policy practice questions
Practise SAP-C02 questions linked to SAA-C03 IAM policy.
SAA-C03 Route 53 failover questions
Practise SAP-C02 questions linked to SAA-C03 Route 53 failover questions.
SAA-C03 CloudFront practice questions
Practise SAP-C02 questions linked to SAA-C03 CloudFront.
SAA-C03 NAT gateway questions
Practise SAP-C02 questions linked to SAA-C03 NAT gateway questions.
SAA-C03 VPC endpoint questions
Practise SAP-C02 questions linked to SAA-C03 VPC endpoint questions.
Practice this exam
Start a free SAP-C02 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SAP-C02 question test?
Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity — This question tests Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The security account is not authorized in each workload account's Config settings. The security team must add the security account as an authorized aggregator in each workload account. — Option A is correct because AWS Config aggregator requires an authorized aggregator account that is set up in each source account. Without this authorization, the aggregator cannot collect data. Option B is wrong because Config is recording changes. Option C is wrong because CloudTrail is not needed for Config aggregation. Option D is wrong because SCPs do not block Config aggregation.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SAP-C02 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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.