- A
Create a Lambda function in each member account that is triggered by GuardDuty findings and modifies the security group.
Why wrong: This approach is less scalable and harder to manage than using StackSets and cross-account roles.
- B
Create a single IAM role in the security account that has permissions to modify security groups in all member accounts.
Why wrong: A single role in the security account cannot have permissions across accounts without cross-account trust relationships.
- C
Use AWS CloudFormation StackSets to deploy an IAM role in each member account with permissions to modify security groups. Then, in the security account, configure the Systems Manager Automation document to assume that role when running the isolation step.
StackSets deploy the role across all accounts, and the automation assumes the role to perform cross-account actions.
- D
Modify the IAM role used by Systems Manager Automation in the security account to include permissions to modify security groups in all member accounts.
Why wrong: IAM roles are account-specific; a role in the security account cannot directly modify resources in member accounts without cross-account trust.
Quick Answer
The answer is to use AWS CloudFormation StackSets to deploy an IAM role in each member account with permissions to modify security groups, then configure the Systems Manager Automation document in the security account to assume that role. This approach solves the cross-account permission failure because StackSets enable you to deploy standardized IAM roles across all accounts in your AWS Organization at scale, and the automation document can then use sts:AssumeRole to gain temporary credentials in the target account. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of cross-account automation patterns and the principle of least privilege—a common trap is to try modifying the security account’s role or creating a single role, which fails because member accounts are separate trust boundaries. Remember the key pattern: StackSets for role deployment, then assume the role for action. Memory tip: “StackSets set the stage; assume the role on the page.”
SCS-C02 Threat Detection and Incident Response Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of threat detection and incident response. 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 financial services company uses a multi-account AWS organization with a centralized security account. The security team has enabled Amazon GuardDuty in all accounts and configured it to send findings to the security account via AWS Organizations. The team also uses AWS Security Hub in the security account to aggregate findings. They have set up automated response using AWS Systems Manager Automation documents to isolate compromised EC2 instances by applying a security group that denies all traffic. However, during a recent incident, the automation failed because the Systems Automation document did not have permission to modify the security group in the member account. The security team needs to design a solution that allows the security account to automatically isolate instances in any member account. What should they do?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Use AWS CloudFormation StackSets to deploy an IAM role in each member account with permissions to modify security groups. Then, in the security account, configure the Systems Manager Automation document to assume that role when running the isolation step.
Option A is correct because using a CloudFormation StackSet to deploy the necessary IAM roles in each member account with the appropriate permissions, and then having the automation in the security account assume that role via cross-account access, is a scalable and secure approach. Option B is wrong because modifying the IAM role in the security account does not grant permissions in member accounts. Option C is wrong because using a Lambda function in each member account is less scalable than using StackSet. Option D is wrong because creating a single role in the security account does not grant access to member accounts.
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.
- ✗
Create a Lambda function in each member account that is triggered by GuardDuty findings and modifies the security group.
Why it's wrong here
This approach is less scalable and harder to manage than using StackSets and cross-account roles.
- ✗
Create a single IAM role in the security account that has permissions to modify security groups in all member accounts.
Why it's wrong here
A single role in the security account cannot have permissions across accounts without cross-account trust relationships.
- ✓
Use AWS CloudFormation StackSets to deploy an IAM role in each member account with permissions to modify security groups. Then, in the security account, configure the Systems Manager Automation document to assume that role when running the isolation step.
Why this is correct
StackSets deploy the role across all accounts, and the automation assumes the role to perform cross-account actions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Modify the IAM role used by Systems Manager Automation in the security account to include permissions to modify security groups in all member accounts.
Why it's wrong here
IAM roles are account-specific; a role in the security account cannot directly modify resources in member accounts without cross-account trust.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 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.
Identify which SCS-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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Threat Detection and Incident Response — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Threat Detection and Incident Response — This question tests Threat Detection and Incident Response — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use AWS CloudFormation StackSets to deploy an IAM role in each member account with permissions to modify security groups. Then, in the security account, configure the Systems Manager Automation document to assume that role when running the isolation step. — Option A is correct because using a CloudFormation StackSet to deploy the necessary IAM roles in each member account with the appropriate permissions, and then having the automation in the security account assume that role via cross-account access, is a scalable and secure approach. Option B is wrong because modifying the IAM role in the security account does not grant permissions in member accounts. Option C is wrong because using a Lambda function in each member account is less scalable than using StackSet. Option D is wrong because creating a single role in the security account does not grant access to member accounts.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Identify which SCS-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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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.
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