The correct answer is to detach the AdministratorAccess policy from the 'admin' user and attach a custom policy with read-only permissions. This is because the AdministratorAccess policy grants full, unrestricted access to all AWS services and resources; removing it is the only direct way to eliminate that level of privilege, while attaching a read-only custom policy ensures the user retains only necessary visibility without the ability to modify resources. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of IAM policy attachment versus deletion or permission boundaries—a common trap is assuming a permissions boundary alone will override an attached policy, but boundaries only set the maximum allowed permissions and do not remove existing grants. Remember the key distinction: to remove admin access, you must detach the admin policy itself, not just add a boundary or delete the user. Memory tip: "Detach to dispatch"—if you want to strip admin rights, detach the policy, don't just box it in.
SCS-C02 Management and Security Governance Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of management and security governance. 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 runs the get-account-authorization-details command and sees the exhibit output. The engineer wants to ensure that the 'admin' user does not have administrative access. Which steps should be taken?
Delete the 'admin' user and create a new user with limited permissions.
Why wrong: Deleting the user is not necessary; the policy can be changed.
B
Modify the AdministratorAccess policy to deny all actions.
Why wrong: You cannot modify AWS managed policies; you can only detach them.
C
Detach the AdministratorAccess policy from the 'admin' user and attach a custom policy with read-only permissions.
This directly removes the administrative access and grants limited permissions.
D
Attach a permissions boundary that denies all actions.
Why wrong: A permissions boundary limits permissions but does not remove the existing AdministratorAccess policy; the effective permissions would still allow actions not denied by the boundary.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Detach the AdministratorAccess policy from the 'admin' user and attach a custom policy with read-only permissions.
The 'admin' user has the AdministratorAccess policy attached. To remove administrative access, the engineer should detach this policy and attach a more restrictive policy. Option A is wrong because deleting the user is unnecessary. Option B is wrong because a permissions boundary does not remove the existing policy. Option C is wrong because the policy itself needs to be removed.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Delete the 'admin' user and create a new user with limited permissions.
Why it's wrong here
Deleting the user is not necessary; the policy can be changed.
✗
Modify the AdministratorAccess policy to deny all actions.
Why it's wrong here
You cannot modify AWS managed policies; you can only detach them.
✓
Detach the AdministratorAccess policy from the 'admin' user and attach a custom policy with read-only permissions.
Why this is correct
This directly removes the administrative access and grants limited permissions.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
Attach a permissions boundary that denies all actions.
Why it's wrong here
A permissions boundary limits permissions but does not remove the existing AdministratorAccess policy; the effective permissions would still allow actions not denied by the boundary.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
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
How to think about this question
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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.
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.
Management and Security Governance — This question tests Management and Security Governance — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Detach the AdministratorAccess policy from the 'admin' user and attach a custom policy with read-only permissions. — The 'admin' user has the AdministratorAccess policy attached. To remove administrative access, the engineer should detach this policy and attach a more restrictive policy. Option A is wrong because deleting the user is unnecessary. Option B is wrong because a permissions boundary does not remove the existing policy. Option C is wrong because the policy itself needs to be removed.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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