The correct answer is to store CloudTrail logs in an S3 bucket with Object Lock enabled in Compliance mode. This works because S3 Object Lock in Compliance mode applies a retention period that prevents any user—including the root account—from deleting or overwriting the objects, making the logs truly immutable. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of the difference between integrity and immutability: CloudTrail log file validation only proves logs haven’t been tampered with, but it does not prevent deletion or overwriting. A common trap is confusing S3 versioning with immutability—versioning allows overwrites and does not block deletion, so it is not sufficient. To remember this, think of Compliance mode as a legal hold: once locked, even the account owner cannot break it, ensuring your audit trail is tamper-proof.
SCS-C02 Security Logging and Monitoring Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security logging and monitoring. 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 needs to ensure that all API calls made to AWS are logged and that the logs are immutable. Which TWO steps should be taken? (Choose TWO.)
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 in all regions.
Option A is correct: CloudTrail logs all API calls. Option C is correct: S3 Object Lock in Compliance mode prevents deletion. Option B is wrong because CloudTrail log file validation provides integrity but not immutability. Option D is wrong because CloudWatch Logs does not provide immutability. Option E is wrong because S3 versioning allows overwrites and does not prevent deletion.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Enable CloudTrail log file validation.
Why it's wrong here
Log file validation ensures integrity, not immutability against deletion.
✓
Enable AWS CloudTrail in all regions.
Why this is correct
CloudTrail logs all API calls across regions.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✓
Store CloudTrail logs in an S3 bucket with Object Lock enabled in Compliance mode.
Why this is correct
Compliance mode prevents any user from deleting objects.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Send CloudTrail logs to CloudWatch Logs with a retention policy.
Why it's wrong here
CloudWatch Logs retention policy only controls how long logs are kept; they can be deleted.
✗
Enable S3 versioning on the destination bucket.
Why it's wrong here
Versioning allows overwrites and does not prevent deletion of objects.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SCS-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Security Logging and Monitoring — This question tests Security Logging and Monitoring — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable AWS CloudTrail in all regions. — Option A is correct: CloudTrail logs all API calls. Option C is correct: S3 Object Lock in Compliance mode prevents deletion. Option B is wrong because CloudTrail log file validation provides integrity but not immutability. Option D is wrong because CloudWatch Logs does not provide immutability. Option E is wrong because S3 versioning allows overwrites and does not prevent deletion.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SCS-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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