The correct answer is to apply a service control policy (SCP) that denies operations in unauthorized regions. An SCP is a centralized policy type within AWS Organizations that sets permission boundaries for all member accounts, effectively blocking API calls to any specified AWS Region regardless of what an account administrator configures in their own IAM policies. This works because SCPs act as a global guardrail that cannot be overridden by individual account users, making them the only mechanism that truly enforces region restrictions across an entire organization. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of the difference between preventive controls (SCPs) and detective controls (AWS Config). A common trap is choosing IAM policies, but remember that account admins can simply remove or bypass those policies. Another trap is AWS Config, which can detect resources in unauthorized regions but does not prevent their creation. Memory tip: SCPs are the "bouncer" at the door—they deny entry to unauthorized regions before any resource can be created.
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 uses AWS Organizations and wants to restrict the AWS Regions in which resources can be created across all member accounts. Which mechanism should be used?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Apply a service control policy (SCP) that denies operations in unauthorized regions.
Option D is correct because an SCP can deny operations in unauthorized regions. Option A is wrong because IAM policies can be overridden by account administrators. Option B is wrong because VPC endpoints do not control region usage. Option C is wrong because AWS Config can detect resources in unauthorized regions but does not prevent creation.
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.
✓
Apply a service control policy (SCP) that denies operations in unauthorized regions.
Why this is correct
Correct: SCPs can deny actions in specific regions across all accounts.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Use VPC endpoints to restrict API calls to specific regions.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: VPC endpoints control traffic to services but not region selection.
✗
Configure AWS Config rules to detect and delete resources in unauthorized regions.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: This is detective, not preventive.
✗
Attach an IAM policy to each user that denies operations in unauthorized regions.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: IAM policies can be overridden by administrators in member accounts.
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: Apply a service control policy (SCP) that denies operations in unauthorized regions. — Option D is correct because an SCP can deny operations in unauthorized regions. Option A is wrong because IAM policies can be overridden by account administrators. Option B is wrong because VPC endpoints do not control region usage. Option C is wrong because AWS Config can detect resources in unauthorized regions but does not prevent creation.
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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Question Discussion
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