The answer is using AWS Systems Manager Automation documents as remediation actions, along with invoking an AWS Lambda function. AWS Config auto-remediation actions work by attaching a remediation action to a Config rule; when a resource is flagged as non-compliant, the rule triggers either a pre-built or custom SSM Automation document to run a series of steps, or a Lambda function to execute custom logic—such as closing open security groups or enabling encryption. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how to automate compliance enforcement without manual intervention, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must choose between SSM Automation, Lambda, or less suitable options like CloudWatch Events or EC2 Run Command. A common trap is confusing SSM Automation with Run Command—remember that Automation documents are designed for multi-step, state-based remediation, while Run Command is for ad-hoc commands. Memory tip: think “Auto-remediation = Automation or Lambda” to recall the two approved actions.
SCS-C02 Management and Security Governance Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of management and security governance. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 Config to record resources. Which TWO actions can be taken to automatically remediate non-compliant resources detected by AWS Config rules?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure AWS Config rules to invoke an AWS Lambda function for remediation
Option A is correct because AWS Config rules can be configured with remediation actions that invoke an AWS Lambda function. When a resource is evaluated as non-compliant, the rule triggers the Lambda function, which can execute custom logic to modify or fix the resource, such as adjusting security group rules or enabling encryption. This provides automated, programmable remediation directly integrated with AWS Config's evaluation lifecycle.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Configure AWS Config rules to invoke an AWS Lambda function for remediation
Why this is correct
Lambda can be used for custom remediation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure AWS Config rules to send notifications to an SNS topic
Why it's wrong here
SNS only notifies, does not remediate.
✓
Use AWS Systems Manager Automation documents as remediation actions
Why this is correct
SSM Automation can perform remediation steps.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use AWS CloudTrail to log non-compliant events
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail logs events but does not remediate.
✗
Use Amazon CloudWatch Events to trigger an AWS Step Functions state machine
Why it's wrong here
Step Functions can orchestrate but not directly remediate without additional setup.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse notification-based responses (like SNS or CloudWatch Events) with actual automated remediation, forgetting that AWS Config's native remediation actions are limited to Lambda functions and Systems Manager Automation documents, not generic event-driven workflows.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS Config remediation actions use AWS Systems Manager Automation documents (SSM documents) or AWS Lambda functions as the execution target. SSM Automation documents provide pre-built or custom runbooks that can perform multi-step remediation, such as stopping an EC2 instance or modifying an S3 bucket policy, with built-in error handling and rollback. The remediation is triggered automatically by the AWS Config rule evaluation result, and you can set a maximum number of retries and a retry interval to handle transient failures. Under the hood, AWS Config creates an SSM Automation execution or invokes the Lambda function asynchronously, and the remediation status is tracked in the AWS Config timeline for auditability.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Management and Security Governance — This question tests Management and Security Governance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure AWS Config rules to invoke an AWS Lambda function for remediation — Option A is correct because AWS Config rules can be configured with remediation actions that invoke an AWS Lambda function. When a resource is evaluated as non-compliant, the rule triggers the Lambda function, which can execute custom logic to modify or fix the resource, such as adjusting security group rules or enabling encryption. This provides automated, programmable remediation directly integrated with AWS Config's evaluation lifecycle.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company wants to automate the enforcement of security best practices across all AWS accounts in an organization. The solution should automatically remediate noncompliant resources. Which AWS service should be used to achieve this?
easy
A.AWS Organizations service control policies (SCPs)
B.AWS IAM Access Analyzer
C.Amazon GuardDuty
✓ D.AWS Config rules with auto-remediation
Why D: Option B is correct because AWS Config rules can automatically remediate noncompliant resources using SSM Automation documents or Lambda functions. Option A is wrong because SCPs only enforce preventive controls, not auto-remediation. Option C is wrong because GuardDuty is a threat detection service, not for compliance automation. Option D is wrong because IAM Access Analyzer analyzes resource policies for unintended access, not for enforcing best practices.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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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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