- A
Use an SCP to enforce a specific password policy and require MFA across all accounts.
Why wrong: SCPs cannot enforce a password policy or require MFA; they only deny or allow actions.
- B
Use AWS Config rules to automatically set the password policy and enable MFA for all users.
Why wrong: AWS Config rules can detect but not remediate automatically unless combined with custom automation.
- C
Use an SCP to deny changes to the password policy and to deny deactivation of MFA devices. Use AWS Config rules to detect non-compliant users.
SCPs can block actions that modify the password policy or deactivate MFA, and AWS Config can detect non-compliant users.
- D
Use AWS CloudTrail to monitor password policy changes and MFA status, and trigger an automatic remediation.
Why wrong: CloudTrail logs but does not enforce or remediate.
Quick Answer
The correct combination is to use an SCP to deny changes to the password policy and to deny deactivation of MFA devices, paired with AWS Config rules to detect non-compliant users. This works because SCPs operate as a preventive guardrail—they block actions like modifying the account-level password policy or removing an MFA device, but they cannot proactively set a password policy or enable MFA for existing users. AWS Config fills that gap by continuously evaluating IAM resources against custom rules, flagging users who lack MFA or whose password policy deviates from the required standard, which then allows for automated remediation or alerts. On the SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the distinction between preventive controls (SCPs) and detective controls (Config), a common trap where candidates mistakenly believe SCPs alone can enforce a specific policy or enable MFA. Remember the memory tip: SCPs block the “bad” actions, Config finds the “bad” users—you need both to enforce compliance across all accounts.
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 multinational company is implementing AWS Organizations to manage multiple accounts across business units. The security team requires that all IAM users in member accounts must use a specific password policy and must have MFA enabled. Which combination of actions should the company take to enforce 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 an SCP to deny changes to the password policy and to deny deactivation of MFA devices. Use AWS Config rules to detect non-compliant users.
Option C is correct because SCPs can deny changes to the password policy and deny deactivation of MFA devices, preventing users from weakening security controls. AWS Config rules then detect non-compliant users (e.g., those without MFA or with a non-compliant password policy), allowing the security team to trigger remediation or alerts. SCPs alone cannot enforce a specific password policy or enable MFA; they only block actions, so Config rules are needed for detection and enforcement.
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 an SCP to enforce a specific password policy and require MFA across all accounts.
Why it's wrong here
SCPs cannot enforce a password policy or require MFA; they only deny or allow actions.
- ✗
Use AWS Config rules to automatically set the password policy and enable MFA for all users.
Why it's wrong here
AWS Config rules can detect but not remediate automatically unless combined with custom automation.
- ✓
Use an SCP to deny changes to the password policy and to deny deactivation of MFA devices. Use AWS Config rules to detect non-compliant users.
Why this is correct
SCPs can block actions that modify the password policy or deactivate MFA, and AWS Config can detect non-compliant users.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use AWS CloudTrail to monitor password policy changes and MFA status, and trigger an automatic remediation.
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail logs but does not enforce or remediate.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume SCPs can enforce configurations like password policies or MFA, but SCPs only deny or allow actions, not set or enable features, so detection and remediation require AWS Config or similar services.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SCPs operate at the AWS Organizations level and apply to all IAM users and roles in member accounts, but they cannot modify IAM settings directly; they only control permissions. AWS Config rules use managed or custom Lambda functions to evaluate resources against desired policies, and can trigger auto-remediation via Systems Manager Automation or Lambda. In practice, you would combine an SCP to deny iam:UpdateAccountPasswordPolicy and iam:DeactivateMFADevice actions with a Config rule that checks for MFA enrollment and password policy compliance, then use a remediation action to enforce MFA via a Lambda function.
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 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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 — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use an SCP to deny changes to the password policy and to deny deactivation of MFA devices. Use AWS Config rules to detect non-compliant users. — Option C is correct because SCPs can deny changes to the password policy and deny deactivation of MFA devices, preventing users from weakening security controls. AWS Config rules then detect non-compliant users (e.g., those without MFA or with a non-compliant password policy), allowing the security team to trigger remediation or alerts. SCPs alone cannot enforce a specific password policy or enable MFA; they only block actions, so Config rules are needed for detection and enforcement.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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