Quick Answer
The answer is AWS Systems Manager Automation. This is the correct choice because it provides a structured runbook framework that can be triggered by Amazon EventBridge when GuardDuty sends a finding, allowing you to automatically revoke public access to an S3 bucket by modifying the bucket policy without writing custom code. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of orchestrated incident response—specifically how to pair GuardDuty’s threat detection with a managed automation service rather than a serverless function like Lambda, which is a common trap. Remember that Systems Manager Automation is purpose-built for repeatable, auditable remediation workflows, while Lambda requires you to manage the execution logic yourself. Memory tip: think “Automation runbook” for structured response, not “Lambda function” for ad-hoc code.
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 team wants to automatically revoke public access to an S3 bucket when Amazon GuardDuty detects a suspicious API call from a known malicious IP address. Which AWS service should be used to orchestrate this automated response?
AWS Config
Why wrong: Config evaluates rules but does not execute remediation actions automatically.
AWS Lambda
Why wrong: Lambda can be used but Systems Manager Automation provides better orchestration.
AWS Systems Manager Automation
Systems Manager Automation runbooks can remediate S3 bucket policies.
AWS CloudTrail
Why wrong: CloudTrail logs events but does not perform actions.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AWS Systems Manager Automation
AWS Systems Manager Automation can run a runbook to change the S3 bucket policy. GuardDuty can send findings to Amazon EventBridge, which triggers the automation. Option A (Lambda) is possible but Systems Manager is more structured for runbooks. Option B (Config) is reactive. Option D (CloudTrail) is logging.
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.
AWS Config
Why it's wrong here
Config evaluates rules but does not execute remediation actions automatically.
AWS Lambda
Why it's wrong here
Lambda can be used but Systems Manager Automation provides better orchestration.
AWS Systems Manager Automation
Why this is correct
Systems Manager Automation runbooks can remediate S3 bucket policies.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
AWS CloudTrail
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail logs events but does not perform actions.
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 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
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.
Threat Detection and Incident Response — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Threat Detection and Incident Response — This question tests Threat Detection and Incident Response — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: AWS Systems Manager Automation — AWS Systems Manager Automation can run a runbook to change the S3 bucket policy. GuardDuty can send findings to Amazon EventBridge, which triggers the automation. Option A (Lambda) is possible but Systems Manager is more structured for runbooks. Option B (Config) is reactive. Option D (CloudTrail) is logging.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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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