- A
Use AWS Config rules to mark non-compliant instances and use AWS Lambda to terminate them.
Why wrong: This is reactive, not preventive, and doesn't provide exceptions easily.
- B
Use resource tags to identify compliant instances and enforce via IAM conditions.
Why wrong: Tags can be bypassed if users can modify them.
- C
Use IAM policies to deny non-compliant instance types for the Production OU, and attach a different IAM policy to exception accounts.
Why wrong: IAM policies can be overridden by SCPs if the SCP denies the action.
- D
Use an SCP to deny non-compliant instance types at the OU level, and use resource-based policies on exception accounts to allow them.
SCPs deny at the OU level, and resource-based policies can allow specific accounts to override the SCP.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to use an SCP to deny non-compliant instance types at the OU level, and use resource-based policies on exception accounts to allow them. This works because SCPs set a maximum permission boundary for all accounts in an OU, but they can be overridden for specific accounts by attaching a resource-based policy that explicitly allows the denied action—since resource-based policies grant permissions directly to the principal, they can bypass an SCP’s deny effect. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how SCPs interact with resource-based policies, a common trap being that IAM policies alone cannot override an SCP deny. Remember that SCPs act as a guardrail, not a final gate; resource-based policies are the key to creating exceptions. Memory tip: “SCP blocks the road, resource-based policy builds a bridge over it.”
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 multiple OUs. The security team wants to prevent all accounts in the 'Production' OU from using non-compliant EC2 instance types, but allow exceptions for specific accounts. Which combination of controls should be used?
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 an SCP to deny non-compliant instance types at the OU level, and use resource-based policies on exception accounts to allow them.
Option D is correct because SCPs can deny access to non-compliant instance types at the OU level, and resource-based policies on the exception accounts can allow them to override the SCP. Option A is wrong because IAM policies alone are not effective when an SCP denies the action. Option B is wrong because AWS Config rules only detect, not block. Option C is wrong because tagging alone does not enforce instance type restrictions.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 Config rules to mark non-compliant instances and use AWS Lambda to terminate them.
Why it's wrong here
This is reactive, not preventive, and doesn't provide exceptions easily.
- ✗
Use resource tags to identify compliant instances and enforce via IAM conditions.
Why it's wrong here
Tags can be bypassed if users can modify them.
- ✗
Use IAM policies to deny non-compliant instance types for the Production OU, and attach a different IAM policy to exception accounts.
Why it's wrong here
IAM policies can be overridden by SCPs if the SCP denies the action.
- ✓
Use an SCP to deny non-compliant instance types at the OU level, and use resource-based policies on exception accounts to allow them.
Why this is correct
SCPs deny at the OU level, and resource-based policies can allow specific accounts to override the SCP.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SAP-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity — study guide chapter
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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 — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use an SCP to deny non-compliant instance types at the OU level, and use resource-based policies on exception accounts to allow them. — Option D is correct because SCPs can deny access to non-compliant instance types at the OU level, and resource-based policies on the exception accounts can allow them to override the SCP. Option A is wrong because IAM policies alone are not effective when an SCP denies the action. Option B is wrong because AWS Config rules only detect, not block. Option C is wrong because tagging alone does not enforce instance type restrictions.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SAP-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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