- A
Create an Amazon EventBridge rule that matches CloudTrail CreateBucket API calls and triggers a Lambda function that inspects the bucket's public access settings and alerts if public.
EventBridge events are near-real-time, and the Lambda can immediately check and alert.
- B
Use AWS Config rules to check S3 bucket public access settings and trigger an AWS Lambda function to send alerts.
Why wrong: AWS Config evaluates rules periodically or on configuration changes but does not guarantee detection within minutes of the API call.
- C
Use S3 server access logs and run a daily script to parse the logs for PutBucketAcl actions.
Why wrong: Server access logs are best-effort and have latency; daily script is too slow.
- D
Enable CloudTrail log file validation and use Athena to query logs hourly for CreateBucket events with public ACLs.
Why wrong: Log delivery to S3 may have delays, and hourly queries are not real-time.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to create an Amazon EventBridge rule that matches CloudTrail CreateBucket API calls and triggers a Lambda function to inspect the bucket’s public access settings. This solution is most efficient because EventBridge processes CloudTrail events in near-real-time, allowing the Lambda function to immediately check the bucket’s public read access via the S3 API or AWS Config, rather than waiting for log file delivery or relying on periodic scans. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of event-driven security monitoring versus polling or batch-based approaches; a common trap is choosing CloudTrail log delivery to S3, which introduces minutes of delay. For memory, think “EventBridge catches the call, Lambda checks the wall”—the rule triggers on the API call itself, not on delayed logs, ensuring detection within seconds of public bucket creation.
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 uses AWS CloudTrail to log API activity across multiple accounts. The security team wants to ensure that any S3 bucket created with public read access is detected within minutes. Which solution is MOST efficient?
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
Create an Amazon EventBridge rule that matches CloudTrail CreateBucket API calls and triggers a Lambda function that inspects the bucket's public access settings and alerts if public.
Option C is correct because using CloudTrail with an Amazon EventBridge rule on CreateBucket events combined with S3 public access checks via AWS Config or direct API calls allows near-real-time detection. Option A is wrong because it relies on CloudTrail log file delivery to S3, which can have delays. Option B is wrong because it only reports current state, not immediate changes. Option D is wrong because it requires manual setup and polling.
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 Amazon EventBridge rule that matches CloudTrail CreateBucket API calls and triggers a Lambda function that inspects the bucket's public access settings and alerts if public.
Why this is correct
EventBridge events are near-real-time, and the Lambda can immediately check and alert.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Use AWS Config rules to check S3 bucket public access settings and trigger an AWS Lambda function to send alerts.
Why it's wrong here
AWS Config evaluates rules periodically or on configuration changes but does not guarantee detection within minutes of the API call.
- ✗
Use S3 server access logs and run a daily script to parse the logs for PutBucketAcl actions.
Why it's wrong here
Server access logs are best-effort and have latency; daily script is too slow.
- ✗
Enable CloudTrail log file validation and use Athena to query logs hourly for CreateBucket events with public ACLs.
Why it's wrong here
Log delivery to S3 may have delays, and hourly queries are not real-time.
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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Security Logging and Monitoring — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Security Logging and Monitoring — This question tests Security Logging and Monitoring — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create an Amazon EventBridge rule that matches CloudTrail CreateBucket API calls and triggers a Lambda function that inspects the bucket's public access settings and alerts if public. — Option C is correct because using CloudTrail with an Amazon EventBridge rule on CreateBucket events combined with S3 public access checks via AWS Config or direct API calls allows near-real-time detection. Option A is wrong because it relies on CloudTrail log file delivery to S3, which can have delays. Option B is wrong because it only reports current state, not immediate changes. Option D is wrong because it requires manual setup and polling.
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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