Quick Answer
The answer is Amazon CloudWatch Events (EventBridge) and Amazon SNS. This combination works because CloudWatch Events can match the EC2 TerminateInstances API call in near real-time as it flows through AWS CloudTrail, immediately triggering an SNS topic to send an alert without any polling or batching delay. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of event-driven monitoring versus log-based or periodic evaluation—a common trap is choosing a CloudWatch Logs metric filter and alarm, which introduces latency because it must parse log streams and evaluate the alarm state. Another trap is assuming AWS Config or GuardDuty handles termination events, but Config evaluates resource changes on a schedule and GuardDuty focuses on threat detection, not lifecycle actions. Memory tip: think “EventBridge for events, SNS for alerts”—if you need the fastest notification for an API action, skip the logs and go straight to the event stream.
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security logging and monitoring. 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 wants to detect and alert when an EC2 instance is terminated. They have enabled CloudTrail and are sending logs to CloudWatch Logs. Which combination of services should they use to achieve this with minimal latency?
CloudWatch Logs metric filter and CloudWatch alarm
Why wrong: Metric filters add latency due to log processing.
AWS Config and AWS Lambda
Why wrong: Config evaluates changes periodically, not real-time.
Amazon CloudWatch Events (EventBridge) and Amazon SNS
EventBridge provides near real-time event matching.
Amazon GuardDuty and Amazon SNS
Why wrong: GuardDuty does not monitor for EC2 termination.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Amazon CloudWatch Events (EventBridge) and Amazon SNS
Option A is correct because CloudWatch Events (EventBridge) can match the TerminateInstances event in real-time and trigger an SNS notification. Option B is wrong because a metric filter and alarm have some latency. Option C is wrong because Config evaluates changes periodically. Option D is wrong because GuardDuty does not monitor EC2 termination.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
CloudWatch Logs metric filter and CloudWatch alarm
Why it's wrong here
Metric filters add latency due to log processing.
AWS Config and AWS Lambda
Why it's wrong here
Config evaluates changes periodically, not real-time.
Amazon CloudWatch Events (EventBridge) and Amazon SNS
Why this is correct
EventBridge provides near real-time event matching.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Amazon GuardDuty and Amazon SNS
Why it's wrong here
GuardDuty does not monitor for EC2 termination.
Common exam traps
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
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. NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated. 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
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SCS-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Security Logging and Monitoring — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Security Logging and Monitoring — This question tests Security Logging and Monitoring — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: Amazon CloudWatch Events (EventBridge) and Amazon SNS — Option A is correct because CloudWatch Events (EventBridge) can match the TerminateInstances event in real-time and trigger an SNS notification. Option B is wrong because a metric filter and alarm have some latency. Option C is wrong because Config evaluates changes periodically. Option D is wrong because GuardDuty does not monitor EC2 termination.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SCS-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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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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