SAP-C02 Practice Question: Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity
A startup is launching a new multi-account AWS environment using AWS Organizations. They want to ensure that only the central security team has access to the root user of each member account. Additionally, they want to enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for the root user of each account. The security team has access to the management account. What is the MOST secure and efficient way to meet these requirements?
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
✓
Use the management account to assume an IAM role in each member account that has permissions to reset the root user password and enable MFA. Then, rotate the root user password and enable MFA.
It leverages AWS Organizations to create an IAM role in each member account with permissions to reset the root user password and enable MFA. The security team can assume this role from the management account, allowing them to securely manage root user credentials without sharing them. Option A is incorrect because the root user cannot be disabled, and creating an IAM user does not provide access to the root user. Option B is insecure as it involves sharing root credentials. Option D is incorrect because AWS SSO (now IAM Identity Center) does not manage root user credentials.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use AWS Organizations to create a new IAM user in each member account with full permissions, and disable the root user.
Why it's wrong here
AWS Organizations cannot create IAM users in member accounts, and the root user cannot be disabled.
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Capture the root user email addresses and passwords in a secure password manager and share them with the security team.
Why it's wrong here
Sharing root credentials is insecure and should be avoided.
- ✓
Use the management account to assume an IAM role in each member account that has permissions to reset the root user password and enable MFA. Then, rotate the root user password and enable MFA.
Why this is correct
This allows central management without sharing credentials.
- ✗
Use AWS Single Sign-On (SSO) to grant the security team access to the root user credentials for each account.
Why it's wrong here
AWS SSO does not manage root user credentials.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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