SCS-C02 Identity and Access Management Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of identity and access management. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 with multiple accounts. The security team has created an SCP that denies access to all DynamoDB actions except for the 'prod' account. The SCP is attached to the root OU. The 'prod' account has an IAM role that allows full DynamoDB access. A developer in the 'prod' account tries to create a DynamoDB table but receives an 'AccessDenied' error. The developer has the correct IAM permissions. What is the MOST likely cause and what should be done to resolve the issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The SCP denies DynamoDB by default; the 'prod' account needs an explicit allow in the SCP.
Option A is correct. The SCP denies DynamoDB actions to all accounts except 'prod', but the SCP may not have an explicit allow for 'prod', causing implicit deny. The SCP should explicitly allow DynamoDB actions for 'prod'. Option B is wrong because SCPs do not require resource-based policies. Option C is wrong because SCPs are not overridden by IAM; they are boundaries. Option D is wrong because SCPs are not optional.
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.
✓
The SCP denies DynamoDB by default; the 'prod' account needs an explicit allow in the SCP.
Why this is correct
SCPs deny by default; explicit allow needed.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
The DynamoDB table has a resource-based policy that denies access.
Why it's wrong here
No resource-based policy mentioned.
✗
The SCP is attached to the OU and cannot be overridden; the developer must use a different account.
Why it's wrong here
SCP can be modified.
✗
The IAM role's permissions boundary is blocking access.
Why it's wrong here
Permissions boundary not mentioned.
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.
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: The SCP denies DynamoDB by default; the 'prod' account needs an explicit allow in the SCP. — Option A is correct. The SCP denies DynamoDB actions to all accounts except 'prod', but the SCP may not have an explicit allow for 'prod', causing implicit deny. The SCP should explicitly allow DynamoDB actions for 'prod'. Option B is wrong because SCPs do not require resource-based policies. Option C is wrong because SCPs are not overridden by IAM; they are boundaries. Option D is wrong because SCPs are not optional.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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