Quick Answer
The answer is to disable the user's access key and create a new one. This is the correct action because rotating IAM access keys regularly is a fundamental security best practice in AWS, directly reducing the window of exposure if a key is compromised. When a key exceeds a defined rotation period—such as 90 days—the safest immediate step is to deactivate the old key to block any ongoing unauthorized use, then generate a fresh key pair for the user to update their applications. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of IAM credential lifecycle management and the principle of least privilege; a common trap is to simply delete the key outright, which can break running workloads, or to leave the old key active while creating a new one. The exam expects you to prioritize security without causing unnecessary downtime. Memory tip: think “Disable first, create second, delete third”—always stop the bleeding before applying the bandage.
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of identity and access management. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 notices that an IAM user has been using an access key that was not rotated for over 90 days. What is the BEST action to take?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Disable the user's access key and create a new one.
This forces rotation and maintains access.
Do nothing; 90 days is acceptable.
Why wrong: AWS recommends rotating keys every 90 days or less.
Delete the IAM user and create a new one.
Why wrong: Unnecessarily disruptive.
Notify the user and ask them to rotate the key.
Why wrong: The security engineer should take action, not just notify.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Disable the user's access key and create a new one.
Rotating access keys regularly is a security best practice to reduce the risk of compromised keys.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Disable the user's access key and create a new one.
Why this is correct
This forces rotation and maintains access.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Do nothing; 90 days is acceptable.
Why it's wrong here
AWS recommends rotating keys every 90 days or less.
Delete the IAM user and create a new one.
Why it's wrong here
Unnecessarily disruptive.
Notify the user and ask them to rotate the key.
Why it's wrong here
The security engineer should take action, not just notify.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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
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.
Identity and Access Management — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Identity and Access Management — This question tests Identity and Access Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Disable the user's access key and create a new one. — Rotating access keys regularly is a security best practice to reduce the risk of compromised keys.
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.
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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 wants to automate the rotation of IAM user access keys every 90 days. Which AWS service can be used to enforce this?
mediumWhy B: Option A is correct because IAM access key last used information can be monitored by AWS Config to trigger automatic rotation. Option B is wrong because CloudTrail logs API calls but does not rotate keys. Option C is wrong because Lambda can be used but needs to be triggered by something like Config. Option D is wrong because SCPs do not rotate keys.
Variation 2. Which TWO of the following are AWS best practices for managing access keys? (Choose 2.)
easyWhy C: Rotating keys regularly and not embedding them in code are standard security practices.
Variation 3. Which THREE of the following are best practices for managing IAM access keys? (Choose THREE.)
mediumWhy A: Options A, B, and D are best practices. Option C is not a best practice because access keys should be rotated, not kept indefinitely. Option E is incorrect because access keys should not be embedded in code; use roles instead.
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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