Quick Answer
The answer is Amazon Simple Notification Service (SNS), used alongside AWS CloudTrail and Amazon CloudWatch Logs. This combination works because CloudTrail captures the CreateAccessKey API call as a log event, which is then streamed into CloudWatch Logs where a metric filter can be configured to detect that specific event. When the filter’s threshold is breached, a CloudWatch alarm triggers an SNS topic to send a real-time alert, such as an email or SMS, to security teams. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the monitoring and notification pipeline, often appearing as a multi-select question where distractors like Amazon Inspector (vulnerability scanning) or Trusted Advisor (cost/security recommendations) are common traps because they do not provide real-time event-driven alerting. A helpful memory tip is to think of the “C-C-S” chain: CloudTrail captures, CloudWatch filters, SNS notifies.
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 wants to monitor for suspicious IAM activity, such as a user creating access keys without authorization. Which THREE AWS services can be used together to detect and alert on this activity in real-time? (Choose THREE.)
Amazon CloudWatch Logs
CloudWatch Logs can filter CloudTrail events and trigger alarms.
Amazon Inspector
Why wrong: Inspector is for vulnerability assessment.
AWS CloudTrail
CloudTrail logs all API calls including CreateAccessKey.
AWS Trusted Advisor
Why wrong: Trusted Advisor provides recommendations, not real-time alerting.
Amazon Simple Notification Service (SNS)
SNS sends notifications when an alarm is triggered.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Amazon CloudWatch Logs
Options A, D, and E are correct. AWS CloudTrail logs the API call (CreateAccessKey). Amazon CloudWatch Logs can receive CloudTrail logs, and a metric filter can detect the specific event. An alarm can then trigger an SNS notification. Option B is wrong because Amazon Inspector is for vulnerability assessment. Option C is wrong because AWS Trusted Advisor provides recommendations, not real-time alerting.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Amazon CloudWatch Logs
Why this is correct
CloudWatch Logs can filter CloudTrail events and trigger alarms.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Amazon Inspector
Why it's wrong here
Inspector is for vulnerability assessment.
AWS CloudTrail
Why this is correct
CloudTrail logs all API calls including CreateAccessKey.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
AWS Trusted Advisor
Why it's wrong here
Trusted Advisor provides recommendations, not real-time alerting.
Amazon Simple Notification Service (SNS)
Why this is correct
SNS sends notifications when an alarm is triggered.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Common exam traps
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
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
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SCS-C02 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Security Logging and Monitoring — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Security Logging and Monitoring practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All SCS-C02 questions
1,738 questions across all exam domains
AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
SCS-C02 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to Threat Detection and Incident Response.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to Security Logging and Monitoring.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to Identity and Access Management.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to Management and Security Governance.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to Infrastructure Security.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to Data Protection.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to SCS-C02 fundamentals.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to SCS-C02 scenario.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to SCS-C02 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Security Logging and Monitoring — This question tests Security Logging and Monitoring — Authentication checks who the user is..
The correct answer is: Amazon CloudWatch Logs — Options A, D, and E are correct. AWS CloudTrail logs the API call (CreateAccessKey). Amazon CloudWatch Logs can receive CloudTrail logs, and a metric filter can detect the specific event. An alarm can then trigger an SNS notification. Option B is wrong because Amazon Inspector is for vulnerability assessment. Option C is wrong because AWS Trusted Advisor provides recommendations, not real-time alerting.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SCS-C02 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Authentication checks who the user is.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
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 is using AWS CloudTrail to monitor API activity. The security team wants to be alerted when an IAM user creates a new access key. Which CloudTrail event should be used to create a CloudWatch Events rule?
hardWhy D: The CreateAccessKey API call is the correct event for creating an access key. Option B is wrong because UpdateAccessKey modifies an existing key. Option C is wrong because UploadSigningCertificate is for uploads, not access keys. Option D is wrong because EnableMFADevice is for MFA devices.
Keep practising
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.