The answer is AWS Step Functions, Amazon EventBridge, and AWS CloudTrail. EventBridge captures GuardDuty findings in near real-time and triggers a Step Functions state machine, which orchestrates the automated incident response while incorporating a human approval step via SNS or a custom callback for destructive actions. CloudTrail logs all API calls made by Step Functions and any downstream actions, providing an immutable audit trail that meets the logging requirement. On the SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your ability to combine event-driven architecture with approval workflows and immutable logging, often appearing as a multi-select question where candidates mistakenly choose Lambda alone for orchestration or omit CloudTrail for logging. A common trap is forgetting that Step Functions, not Lambda, is the proper service for managing stateful approval workflows with wait states. Memory tip: think “EventBridge triggers, Step Functions approves, CloudTrail logs” to recall the three services in sequence.
SCS-C02 Threat Detection and Incident Response Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of threat detection and incident response. 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 team is designing an automated incident response system. The system must meet the following requirements: (1) automatically respond to GuardDuty findings, (2) ensure that response actions are logged and immutable, and (3) allow for human approval before destructive actions. Which services should the team use? (Select THREE.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Amazon EventBridge
Amazon EventBridge (A) is correct because it can receive GuardDuty findings in near real-time and route them to downstream targets for automated response. This enables the first requirement by triggering workflows directly from GuardDuty events without custom polling.
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.
✓
Amazon EventBridge
Why this is correct
EventBridge receives GuardDuty findings and triggers workflow.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
AWS CloudTrail
Why this is correct
CloudTrail logs all API calls for audit and immutability.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
AWS Step Functions
Why this is correct
Step Functions orchestrates multi-step workflows including human approval.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
AWS Lambda
Why it's wrong here
Lambda executes code but does not provide orchestration or approval workflows.
✗
Amazon Simple Notification Service (SNS)
Why it's wrong here
SNS sends notifications but does not orchestrate actions.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often select Lambda as the sole compute service, overlooking that Step Functions is required to orchestrate the human approval step and that CloudTrail is needed for immutable logging, not just EventBridge and Lambda alone.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
GuardDuty findings are sent as EventBridge events with a structured JSON payload containing the finding type, severity, and resource details. Step Functions can implement a manual approval step using a task token that pauses execution until an SNS-based approval message is confirmed, ensuring destructive actions (e.g., isolating an EC2 instance) only proceed after human sign-off. CloudTrail logs all API calls made by Step Functions and Lambda, providing an immutable audit trail when combined with S3 object lock or similar controls.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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: Amazon EventBridge — Amazon EventBridge (A) is correct because it can receive GuardDuty findings in near real-time and route them to downstream targets for automated response. This enables the first requirement by triggering workflows directly from GuardDuty events without custom polling.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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