- A
Create an AWS CloudFormation template that includes the S3 bucket policy and deploy it to each new account manually.
Why wrong: Manual deployment does not scale and is not the most efficient.
- B
Use AWS Config rules to detect S3 buckets without public access block and automatically remediate.
Why wrong: Config rules can detect but require remediation action, which is not automatic enforcement.
- C
Use AWS CloudFormation StackSets to deploy the bucket policy to all existing and future accounts.
Why wrong: StackSets do not automatically deploy to new accounts without additional configuration.
- D
Attach a service control policy (SCP) at the root level that denies the s3:PutBucketPublicAccessBlock action with a condition that the bucket must have public access blocked.
SCP at the root enforces the requirement for all accounts, including new ones.
SCS-C02 Identity and Access Management Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of identity and access management. 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 multiple accounts. The security team wants to ensure that any new account created in the organization automatically has an S3 bucket policy that blocks public access. What is the most efficient way to enforce this requirement?
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
Attach a service control policy (SCP) at the root level that denies the s3:PutBucketPublicAccessBlock action with a condition that the bucket must have public access blocked.
Option D is correct because a service control policy (SCP) can be applied at the root organizational unit to deny the creation of S3 buckets without the public access block. Option A is wrong because it would require manual creation for each account. Option B is wrong because CloudFormation StackSets require accounts to be part of the stack set, which is not automatic for new accounts. Option C is wrong because Config rules can detect but not enforce automatically.
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 AWS CloudFormation template that includes the S3 bucket policy and deploy it to each new account manually.
Why it's wrong here
Manual deployment does not scale and is not the most efficient.
- ✗
Use AWS Config rules to detect S3 buckets without public access block and automatically remediate.
Why it's wrong here
Config rules can detect but require remediation action, which is not automatic enforcement.
- ✗
Use AWS CloudFormation StackSets to deploy the bucket policy to all existing and future accounts.
Why it's wrong here
StackSets do not automatically deploy to new accounts without additional configuration.
- ✓
Attach a service control policy (SCP) at the root level that denies the s3:PutBucketPublicAccessBlock action with a condition that the bucket must have public access blocked.
Why this is correct
SCP at the root enforces the requirement for all accounts, including new ones.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
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.
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Identity and Access Management — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Identity and Access Management — This question tests Identity and Access Management — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Attach a service control policy (SCP) at the root level that denies the s3:PutBucketPublicAccessBlock action with a condition that the bucket must have public access blocked. — Option D is correct because a service control policy (SCP) can be applied at the root organizational unit to deny the creation of S3 buckets without the public access block. Option A is wrong because it would require manual creation for each account. Option B is wrong because CloudFormation StackSets require accounts to be part of the stack set, which is not automatic for new accounts. Option C is wrong because Config rules can detect but not enforce automatically.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This SCS-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 SCS-C02 exam.
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