The correct answer is to use AWS CloudFormation StackSets with a stack containing an AWS::GuardDuty::Detector resource applied to the organization root OU. This solution works because StackSets automatically propagate the GuardDuty detector to every existing and newly created account across all enabled Regions, leveraging AWS Organizations to handle account lifecycle without any manual intervention. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to combine StackSets with Organizations for centralized, automated security baselines—a common trap is choosing a solution that requires per-account Lambda triggers or manual SCP updates, which add unnecessary overhead. The key insight is that StackSets applied to the root OU treat new accounts as part of the organizational unit, so the stack instance is automatically created when the account joins. Memory tip: think of StackSets as a “set it and forget it” deployment that follows the organizational tree, not individual accounts.
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 multinational corporation is implementing a multi-account AWS strategy using AWS Organizations. The security team requires that all newly created accounts in the organization automatically have an Amazon GuardDuty detector enabled in all enabled Regions. Which solution meets this requirement with the LEAST operational overhead?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "least"
Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use AWS CloudFormation StackSets with a stack that includes an AWS::GuardDuty::Detector resource, and apply it to the organization root OU.
Option A is correct because AWS CloudFormation StackSets can be applied to the organization root OU, automatically deploying an AWS::GuardDuty::Detector resource to every account in the organization as new accounts are created. This approach requires no manual intervention per account, and StackSets handle the lifecycle of the detector across all enabled Regions with minimal operational overhead.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 CloudFormation StackSets with a stack that includes an AWS::GuardDuty::Detector resource, and apply it to the organization root OU.
Why this is correct
Correct: StackSets automate deployment across accounts; the resource creates the detector.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use AWS Service Catalog to publish a GuardDuty product and require account owners to launch it.
Why it's wrong here
Requires manual action per account.
✗
Use an SCP that denies guardduty:DeleteDetector and guardduty:UpdateDetector actions, then have each account administrator manually enable GuardDuty.
Why it's wrong here
Manual step is not automated.
✗
Use AWS Config rules to detect accounts without GuardDuty enabled and trigger a Lambda function to enable it.
Why it's wrong here
Reactive, not proactive.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose the Config + Lambda option (D) thinking it is fully automated, but they overlook that it is reactive and incurs ongoing evaluation costs, whereas StackSets provide a proactive, single-deployment solution with lower operational overhead.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
CloudFormation StackSets use service-managed permissions with AWS Organizations to automatically deploy stacks to accounts in specified OUs, including newly created accounts, via the AWS CloudFormation StackSets delegated administrator. The AWS::GuardDuty::Detector resource with DataSources set to enable S3 logs and other features ensures the detector is active in all specified Regions. Under the hood, StackSets use a stack instance per account-Region combination, and the service handles propagation delays and drift detection.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity — This question tests Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use AWS CloudFormation StackSets with a stack that includes an AWS::GuardDuty::Detector resource, and apply it to the organization root OU. — Option A is correct because AWS CloudFormation StackSets can be applied to the organization root OU, automatically deploying an AWS::GuardDuty::Detector resource to every account in the organization as new accounts are created. This approach requires no manual intervention per account, and StackSets handle the lifecycle of the detector across all enabled Regions with minimal operational overhead.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.