The correct answer is to deploy an AWS Config rule across all accounts using AWS Organizations that checks for IAM users without MFA, and use AWS Config custom remediation to disable the user's access keys. This solution works because AWS Organizations allows you to centrally deploy a Config rule to every member account, while custom remediation actions—triggered by Lambda or Systems Manager Automation—can programmatically disable access keys when a non-compliant user is detected. On the SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to combine detective controls (Config rules) with automated corrective actions, a pattern that often appears in security governance questions. A common trap is choosing Service Control Policies (SCPs), but SCPs can only deny future API calls if MFA is missing—they cannot disable existing keys or remediate non-compliance. Remember the memory tip: “Config catches, remediation fixes; SCPs block, they don’t disable.”
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 company has a AWS Organizations setup with 100 accounts. The security team requires that all IAM users across all accounts must have multi-factor authentication (MFA) enabled. Currently, there is no central enforcement. The company wants to implement a solution that automatically detects IAM users without MFA and disables their access keys. The solution must be centrally managed from the management account. Which solution meets these requirements?
Create an SCP that denies all API calls if the user does not have an MFA device.
Why wrong: SCPs can deny access, but they cannot disable access keys.
B
Deploy an AWS Config rule across all accounts using AWS Organizations that checks for IAM users without MFA, and use AWS Config custom remediation to disable the user's access keys.
Config can detect and remediate across accounts.
C
Use IAM Access Analyzer to generate findings for users without MFA and automatically disable access keys.
Why wrong: Access Analyzer is for analyzing resource policies, not for MFA enforcement.
D
Use AWS IAM Identity Center to enforce MFA and automatically disable access keys for existing IAM users.
Why wrong: IAM Identity Center does not manage existing IAM users.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Deploy an AWS Config rule across all accounts using AWS Organizations that checks for IAM users without MFA, and use AWS Config custom remediation to disable the user's access keys.
Option C is correct because AWS Config rules can be deployed across all accounts via AWS Organizations, and the custom remediation action can disable access keys. Option A is wrong because IAM Access Analyzer does not manage MFA. Option B is wrong because SCPs cannot enforce MFA on existing users; they can deny access if MFA is not present, but they cannot disable keys. Option D is wrong because AWS IAM Identity Center is for workforce identity, not for managing existing IAM users.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Create an SCP that denies all API calls if the user does not have an MFA device.
Why it's wrong here
SCPs can deny access, but they cannot disable access keys.
✓
Deploy an AWS Config rule across all accounts using AWS Organizations that checks for IAM users without MFA, and use AWS Config custom remediation to disable the user's access keys.
Why this is correct
Config can detect and remediate across accounts.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Use IAM Access Analyzer to generate findings for users without MFA and automatically disable access keys.
Why it's wrong here
Access Analyzer is for analyzing resource policies, not for MFA enforcement.
✗
Use AWS IAM Identity Center to enforce MFA and automatically disable access keys for existing IAM users.
Why it's wrong here
IAM Identity Center does not manage existing IAM users.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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 ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SAP-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity — This question tests Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Deploy an AWS Config rule across all accounts using AWS Organizations that checks for IAM users without MFA, and use AWS Config custom remediation to disable the user's access keys. — Option C is correct because AWS Config rules can be deployed across all accounts via AWS Organizations, and the custom remediation action can disable access keys. Option A is wrong because IAM Access Analyzer does not manage MFA. Option B is wrong because SCPs cannot enforce MFA on existing users; they can deny access if MFA is not present, but they cannot disable keys. Option D is wrong because AWS IAM Identity Center is for workforce identity, not for managing existing IAM users.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SAP-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
About these practice questions
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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. An organization uses AWS Organizations with multiple accounts. The security team wants to ensure that all IAM users in all accounts must use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to access the AWS Management Console. What is the most efficient way to enforce this?
medium
A.Use AWS Config rules to detect users without MFA and send alerts.
B.Use AWS CloudTrail to monitor console logins and trigger an automatic remediation.
C.Create an IAM policy in each account that denies access without MFA.
✓ D.Apply a service control policy (SCP) that denies all actions if the user does not have MFA enabled.
Why D: Option C is correct because an SCP can deny access if MFA is not present, and it applies to all accounts in the organization. Option A is wrong because an IAM policy in each account requires manual effort and is not centralized. Option B is wrong because AWS Config can detect but not enforce. Option D is wrong because CloudTrail logs but does not enforce.
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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
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