This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of infrastructure security. 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 is using AWS Organizations to manage multiple accounts. The security team wants to ensure that all accounts have AWS CloudTrail enabled in all regions. Which approach should be used?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable AWS CloudTrail from the master account as an organization trail.
Option D is correct because you can use CloudTrail organization trails, which automatically apply to all accounts in the organization. Option A is wrong because SCPs cannot enable services; they only deny or allow actions. Option B is wrong because AWS Config rules are detective and cannot enable CloudTrail. Option C is wrong because manually enabling in each account is not scalable and may be missed.
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 requires CloudTrail to be enabled.
Why it's wrong here
SCPs cannot enable services; they only control permissions.
✗
Enable CloudTrail in each account using a cross-account IAM role.
Why it's wrong here
This requires manual setup per account and is not automated.
✗
Use AWS Config rules to detect non-compliant accounts and automatically enable CloudTrail.
Why it's wrong here
AWS Config rules can detect but cannot automatically enable services.
✓
Enable AWS CloudTrail from the master account as an organization trail.
Why this is correct
Organization trails automatically apply to all accounts in the organization.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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 SCS-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Infrastructure Security — This question tests Infrastructure Security — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable AWS CloudTrail from the master account as an organization trail. — Option D is correct because you can use CloudTrail organization trails, which automatically apply to all accounts in the organization. Option A is wrong because SCPs cannot enable services; they only deny or allow actions. Option B is wrong because AWS Config rules are detective and cannot enable CloudTrail. Option C is wrong because manually enabling in each account is not scalable and may be missed.
What should I do if I get this SCS-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 SCS-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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Question Discussion
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