- A
Use AWS Config rules to detect users without MFA and send alerts.
Why wrong: Config rules are detective, not preventive.
- B
Enable AWS CloudTrail to log console access without MFA.
Why wrong: CloudTrail only logs, does not enforce.
- C
Create a service control policy (SCP) that denies console access unless aws:MultiFactorAuthPresent is true.
SCPs can centrally enforce MFA across all accounts.
- D
Use AWS Single Sign-On (SSO) with MFA enabled for all users.
Why wrong: AWS SSO applies to federated users, not IAM users.
- E
Create an IAM policy in each account that denies console access unless aws:MultiFactorAuthPresent is true.
IAM policies enforce MFA for users in each account.
Question 1,175 of 1,746
SAP-C02 Service Control Policy (SCP) Practice Question
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. A key principle to apply: service Control Policy (SCP). 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 is designing a multi-account strategy using AWS Organizations. They need to enforce that all IAM users in member accounts must use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to access the AWS Management Console. Which TWO approaches should they combine to enforce this requirement?
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
✓
Create a service control policy (SCP) that denies console access unless aws:MultiFactorAuthPresent is true.
Option C is correct because a service control policy (SCP) can be applied centrally at the organizational unit or account level to deny all console access unless the `aws:MultiFactorAuthPresent` condition key is `true`. This enforces MFA usage across all member accounts and cannot be overridden by account administrators. Option E is also correct because an IAM policy with the same condition key can be attached to all users or groups within each account, providing an additional layer of enforcement. Combining both ensures that even if the SCP is bypassed or not applied to a specific account, the IAM policy still enforces MFA. Together, they provide defense in depth.
Key principle: Service Control Policy (SCP)
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 detect users without MFA and send alerts.
Why it's wrong here
Config rules are detective, not preventive.
- ✗
Enable AWS CloudTrail to log console access without MFA.
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail only logs, does not enforce.
- ✓
Create a service control policy (SCP) that denies console access unless aws:MultiFactorAuthPresent is true.
Why this is correct
SCPs can centrally enforce MFA across all accounts.
Related concept
Service Control Policy (SCP)
- ✗
Use AWS Single Sign-On (SSO) with MFA enabled for all users.
Why it's wrong here
AWS SSO applies to federated users, not IAM users.
- ✓
Create an IAM policy in each account that denies console access unless aws:MultiFactorAuthPresent is true.
Why this is correct
IAM policies enforce MFA for users in each account.
Related concept
Service Control Policy (SCP)
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap is that candidates often choose only one of the two preventive controls (SCP or IAM policy) or confuse detective controls (like AWS Config or CloudTrail) with preventive controls. The question requires combining two approaches to enforce MFA across all accounts, and both SCPs and IAM policies are needed for a robust, multi-account strategy. SCPs provide centralized guardrails, while IAM policies provide per-account enforcement that cannot be circumvented by any role that might bypass SCPs.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `aws:MultiFactorAuthPresent` condition key is a boolean that is `true` only when the session was authenticated using a multi-factor authentication device. In an SCP, you can combine this with a `Deny` effect and a `Null` condition to block any request where the key is missing or false. A common subtlety is that the condition key is not present for requests made using long-term credentials (e.g., access keys) unless MFA is explicitly required at the time of the API call, so the SCP must also handle the case where the key is absent (e.g., `Null` condition).
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Service Control Policy (SCP)
- IAM Policy with Condition Key
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
Service Control Policy (SCP)
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 service Control Policy (SCP), then practise related SAP-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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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 — Service Control Policy (SCP).
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a service control policy (SCP) that denies console access unless aws:MultiFactorAuthPresent is true. — Option C is correct because a service control policy (SCP) can be applied centrally at the organizational unit or account level to deny all console access unless the `aws:MultiFactorAuthPresent` condition key is `true`. This enforces MFA usage across all member accounts and cannot be overridden by account administrators. Option E is also correct because an IAM policy with the same condition key can be attached to all users or groups within each account, providing an additional layer of enforcement. Combining both ensures that even if the SCP is bypassed or not applied to a specific account, the IAM policy still enforces MFA. Together, they provide defense in depth.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Review service Control Policy (SCP), then practise related SAP-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Service Control Policy (SCP)
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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