- A
Use AWS Config rules to detect and remediate any changes to CloudTrail configurations.
Why wrong: AWS Config rules are detective, not preventive. They can detect changes and trigger remediation, but they cannot prevent the initial action from occurring.
- B
Apply a service control policy (SCP) that denies cloudtrail:StopLogging and cloudtrail:DeleteTrail.
Correct. A service control policy (SCP) can deny the cloudtrail:StopLogging and cloudtrail:DeleteTrail actions across all accounts in the organization, providing a preventive control that applies to all principals including the root user.
- C
Create an IAM policy that denies cloudtrail:StopLogging and cloudtrail:DeleteTrail for all IAM users.
Why wrong: IAM policies are account-specific and do not apply to the root user or to actions performed via assumed roles. They are not a centralized preventive control across all accounts.
- D
Apply a resource-based policy to the CloudTrail trail that denies these actions.
Why wrong: CloudTrail trails do not support resource-based policies that control who can stop logging or delete the trail. Resource-based policies are used for other AWS services such as S3 buckets or SNS topics.
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 uses AWS Organizations with hundreds of accounts. The security team wants to ensure that no account can disable AWS CloudTrail or delete CloudTrail log files. Which preventive control should be implemented?
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
Apply a service control policy (SCP) that denies cloudtrail:StopLogging and cloudtrail:DeleteTrail.
Service control policies (SCPs) are the only preventive control that can centrally deny actions across all accounts in an AWS Organization. SCPs affect all users and roles, including the root user, and can block the ability to stop CloudTrail logging or delete trails. Option A (AWS Config rules) is detective and can trigger remediation, but it is not preventive; remediation can fail or be bypassed. Option C (IAM policy) only applies within an account and does not prevent actions by the root user or external roles. Option D (resource-based policy) cannot be applied to CloudTrail trails to deny actions; CloudTrail supports resource-based policies for delivery notifications (SNS) but not to control trail management actions.
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.
- ✗
Use AWS Config rules to detect and remediate any changes to CloudTrail configurations.
Why it's wrong here
AWS Config rules are detective, not preventive. They can detect changes and trigger remediation, but they cannot prevent the initial action from occurring.
- ✓
Apply a service control policy (SCP) that denies cloudtrail:StopLogging and cloudtrail:DeleteTrail.
Why this is correct
Correct. A service control policy (SCP) can deny the cloudtrail:StopLogging and cloudtrail:DeleteTrail actions across all accounts in the organization, providing a preventive control that applies to all principals including the root user.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Create an IAM policy that denies cloudtrail:StopLogging and cloudtrail:DeleteTrail for all IAM users.
Why it's wrong here
IAM policies are account-specific and do not apply to the root user or to actions performed via assumed roles. They are not a centralized preventive control across all accounts.
- ✗
Apply a resource-based policy to the CloudTrail trail that denies these actions.
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail trails do not support resource-based policies that control who can stop logging or delete the trail. Resource-based policies are used for other AWS services such as S3 buckets or SNS topics.
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.
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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 — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Apply a service control policy (SCP) that denies cloudtrail:StopLogging and cloudtrail:DeleteTrail. — Service control policies (SCPs) are the only preventive control that can centrally deny actions across all accounts in an AWS Organization. SCPs affect all users and roles, including the root user, and can block the ability to stop CloudTrail logging or delete trails. Option A (AWS Config rules) is detective and can trigger remediation, but it is not preventive; remediation can fail or be bypassed. Option C (IAM policy) only applies within an account and does not prevent actions by the root user or external roles. Option D (resource-based policy) cannot be applied to CloudTrail trails to deny actions; CloudTrail supports resource-based policies for delivery notifications (SNS) but not to control trail management actions.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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