Quick Answer
The answer is AWS CloudTrail and Amazon CloudWatch Logs. CloudTrail aggregates logs from multiple accounts by allowing you to configure a single S3 bucket as a central destination for all account trails, while CloudWatch Logs uses subscription filters to forward log events from source accounts to a central monitoring account in real time. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of cross-account log aggregation versus data aggregation—a common trap is confusing AWS Config (which aggregates configuration data, not logs) or assuming S3 itself is a service. Remember that S3 is the storage destination, not the aggregation service. Memory tip: think "Trail to a bucket, Watch to a subscription"—CloudTrail sends to S3, CloudWatch Logs uses subscription filters to push logs centrally.
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security logging and monitoring. 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 security engineer is designing a centralized logging solution for multiple AWS accounts. Which TWO services should be used to aggregate logs from all accounts into a single account? (Choose TWO.)
AWS Config
Why wrong: Config aggregates configuration data, not logs.
VPC Flow Logs
Why wrong: VPC Flow Logs can be sent to S3 or CloudWatch, but not directly to a central account.
Amazon CloudWatch Logs
CloudWatch Logs can use cross-account subscription filters.
Amazon S3
Why wrong: S3 is a storage service, not an aggregation service.
AWS CloudTrail
CloudTrail can deliver logs to a central S3 bucket.
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
Option A and Option C are correct. CloudTrail can be configured to deliver logs to a central S3 bucket across accounts, and CloudWatch Logs can use subscription filters to send logs to a central account. Option B is wrong because AWS Config can aggregate config data but not logs. Option D is wrong because VPC Flow Logs can be sent to S3 or CloudWatch, but not directly to a central account. Option E is wrong because S3 is a destination, not an aggregation service.
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
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AWS Config
Why it's wrong here
Config aggregates configuration data, not logs.
VPC Flow Logs
Why it's wrong here
VPC Flow Logs can be sent to S3 or CloudWatch, but not directly to a central account.
Amazon CloudWatch Logs
Why this is correct
CloudWatch Logs can use cross-account subscription filters.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Amazon S3
Why it's wrong here
S3 is a storage service, not an aggregation service.
AWS CloudTrail
Why this is correct
CloudTrail can deliver logs to a central S3 bucket.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Common exam traps
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
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.
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
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
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 — 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 — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: Amazon CloudWatch Logs — Option A and Option C are correct. CloudTrail can be configured to deliver logs to a central S3 bucket across accounts, and CloudWatch Logs can use subscription filters to send logs to a central account. Option B is wrong because AWS Config can aggregate config data but not logs. Option D is wrong because VPC Flow Logs can be sent to S3 or CloudWatch, but not directly to a central account. Option E is wrong because S3 is a destination, not an aggregation service.
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.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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 →
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.