The answer is Amazon CloudWatch Events and AWS Lambda. This combination works because CloudWatch Events (now Amazon EventBridge) can monitor real-time API calls logged by AWS CloudTrail and, upon detecting suspicious patterns, trigger a Lambda function that programmatically revokes IAM roles by detaching policies or modifying trust relationships. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of event-driven security automation versus detective-only services. A common trap is choosing AWS Config, which records resource changes but cannot react to real-time API monitoring, or GuardDuty, which generates findings but lacks direct remediation triggers. Remember that CloudTrail provides the audit trail, but only CloudWatch Events can act as the real-time trigger for automated revocation. For a quick memory tip: think "Events for triggers, Lambda for actions" — the two always pair for automated real-time remediation.
SCS-C02 Security Logging and Monitoring Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security logging and monitoring. 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 wants to monitor AWS API calls for suspicious activity and automatically remediate by revoking IAM roles in real time. Which combination of services 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
✓
Amazon CloudWatch Events and AWS Lambda
Option A is correct because CloudWatch Events (now Amazon EventBridge) can trigger a Lambda function upon API call patterns, and Lambda can revoke permissions. Option B is wrong because GuardDuty does not directly trigger remediation. Option C is wrong because Config records resource changes but not real-time API calls. Option D is wrong because CloudTrail alone cannot automate remediation.
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.
✗
AWS CloudTrail and Amazon Inspector
Why it's wrong here
Inspector is for vulnerability assessment, not real-time API monitoring.
✗
AWS CloudTrail and AWS Config
Why it's wrong here
These are logging and compliance services, not real-time remediation.
✗
Amazon GuardDuty and AWS Config
Why it's wrong here
GuardDuty provides findings but not automatic remediation.
✓
Amazon CloudWatch Events and AWS Lambda
Why this is correct
CloudWatch Events can match API calls and trigger Lambda to revoke IAM roles.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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 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 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: Amazon CloudWatch Events and AWS Lambda — Option A is correct because CloudWatch Events (now Amazon EventBridge) can trigger a Lambda function upon API call patterns, and Lambda can revoke permissions. Option B is wrong because GuardDuty does not directly trigger remediation. Option C is wrong because Config records resource changes but not real-time API calls. Option D is wrong because CloudTrail alone cannot automate remediation.
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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