The answer is that the repeated `CreateTrail` API calls in CloudTrail logs indicate the IAM user attempted to create a trail but was denied due to insufficient permissions. This is correct because AWS CloudTrail logs all API calls made within an account, including those that fail authorization—every denied API call is recorded with an `accessDenied` error in the event details, regardless of whether the action succeeded. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that CloudTrail is an immutable audit trail of both allowed and denied actions, and a common trap is assuming failed calls are omitted or that repeated attempts imply a misconfigured service rather than a permission issue. Remember the memory tip: “Denied is still logged”—CloudTrail never filters out failures, so seeing repeated denied calls is a clear sign of an unauthorized user testing boundaries.
SCS-C02 Threat Detection and Incident Response Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of threat detection and incident response. 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 security engineer is reviewing AWS CloudTrail logs and notices repeated `CreateTrail` API calls from an IAM user that is not authorized to create trails. What is the MOST likely cause of these log entries?
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 IAM user attempted to create a trail but was denied due to lack of permissions.
The repeated `CreateTrail` API calls in CloudTrail logs indicate that an IAM user is attempting to create a trail. Since the user lacks the required `cloudtrail:CreateTrail` permission, the API call is recorded as an attempted action that was denied by AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) policy evaluation. CloudTrail logs all API calls, including those that fail due to insufficient permissions, which is why these entries appear in the logs.
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.
✓
The IAM user attempted to create a trail but was denied due to lack of permissions.
Why this is correct
CloudTrail records all API calls, including denied attempts.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
AWS GuardDuty is generating simulated events.
Why it's wrong here
GuardDuty findings are separate from CloudTrail logs.
✗
S3 server access logs are enabled for the trail's S3 bucket.
Why it's wrong here
S3 server access logs log object access, not API calls.
✗
CloudTrail is configured to log only data events.
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail logs management events by default.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think CloudTrail only logs successful API calls, but in reality, it logs all API calls, including those that are denied, which is why the repeated `CreateTrail` entries appear even though the user is not authorized.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
CloudTrail logs all management API calls by default, including those that are denied by IAM policies. The `CreateTrail` API call is a management event that is always logged when attempted, even if the IAM user lacks permissions, because CloudTrail records the request before IAM evaluates and denies it. In a real-world scenario, repeated failed `CreateTrail` attempts could indicate a misconfigured script or a malicious actor probing for privilege escalation opportunities.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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: The IAM user attempted to create a trail but was denied due to lack of permissions. — The repeated `CreateTrail` API calls in CloudTrail logs indicate that an IAM user is attempting to create a trail. Since the user lacks the required `cloudtrail:CreateTrail` permission, the API call is recorded as an attempted action that was denied by AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) policy evaluation. CloudTrail logs all API calls, including those that fail due to insufficient permissions, which is why these entries appear in the logs.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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