The answer is that the condition key aws:sourceVpce is not supported in SCPs, so the deny effect is ignored entirely. SCPs only support a specific subset of global condition keys, and aws:sourceVpce is not among them, meaning the condition block is treated as invalid and the statement defaults to allowing all ec2 actions. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this tests your understanding of SCP limitations versus IAM policy capabilities—a common trap is assuming all condition keys work everywhere. Remember that aws:sourceVpce and aws:SourceIp are not valid in SCPs, while aws:PrincipalOrgID and aws:ResourceOrgID are. A useful memory tip: SCPs control organizational boundaries, not network sources, so network-based condition keys like sourceVpce are out of scope.
SCS-C02 Management and Security Governance Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of management and security governance. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 with a management account and several member accounts. The security team has created an SCP that denies access to all actions for the 'ec2:*' service unless the request comes from a specific VPC endpoint. The SCP is attached to the organization root. However, users in a member account are still able to launch EC2 instances from the AWS Management Console, which does not use a VPC endpoint. The SCP is as follows:
What is the most likely reason the SCP is not preventing the users from launching instances?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The condition key 'aws:sourceVpce' is not supported in SCPs.
Option D is correct because the condition key 'aws:sourceVpce' is not supported in SCPs; SCPs support only a subset of condition keys, and 'aws:sourceVpce' is not among them. Therefore, the condition is ignored, and the deny does not apply. Option A is wrong because SCPs apply to all principals. Option B is wrong because the SCP is attached to the root. Option C is wrong because the management account is not subject to SCPs, but the member accounts are.
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.
✗
The SCP is not applied to the root user in the member account.
Why it's wrong here
SCPs apply to all principals, including root.
✗
The SCP is attached to the organization root but not to the member account.
Why it's wrong here
Attaching to root applies to all accounts.
✓
The condition key 'aws:sourceVpce' is not supported in SCPs.
Why this is correct
SCPs do not support this condition key, so the condition is ignored.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
The management account is not affected by SCPs, and the users are using the management account.
Why it's wrong here
The issue is in a member account.
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.
Management and Security Governance — This question tests Management and Security Governance — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The condition key 'aws:sourceVpce' is not supported in SCPs. — Option D is correct because the condition key 'aws:sourceVpce' is not supported in SCPs; SCPs support only a subset of condition keys, and 'aws:sourceVpce' is not among them. Therefore, the condition is ignored, and the deny does not apply. Option A is wrong because SCPs apply to all principals. Option B is wrong because the SCP is attached to the root. Option C is wrong because the management account is not subject to SCPs, but the member accounts are.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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