The answer is to create an Amazon EventBridge rule that triggers an AWS Lambda function to revoke the keys and send an SNS notification. This is correct because CloudTrail logs can be streamed in real time to EventBridge, which then invokes a Lambda function to programmatically disable the compromised IAM access keys and publish a notification to an SNS topic, alerting the security team. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of automated incident response using serverless services, often as a distractor against AWS Config (which cannot revoke keys) or GuardDuty (which only detects anomalies but does not take remediation actions). A common trap is assuming IAM has built-in automatic revocation based on CloudTrail events, but it does not. Memory tip: think “EventBridge triggers Lambda to Lock and Notify” — the Lambda locks the keys, and SNS notifies the team.
SCS-C02 Threat Detection and Incident Response Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of threat detection and incident response. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 is reviewing AWS CloudTrail logs and notices a large number of `DescribeInstances` API calls from a single IAM user in a short period. The engineer suspects a credential compromise. What is the most effective way to automatically revoke the compromised credentials and notify the security team?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create an Amazon EventBridge rule that triggers an AWS Lambda function to revoke the keys and send an SNS notification.
AWS CloudTrail can trigger a Lambda function via CloudWatch Events (now Amazon EventBridge). The Lambda function can then revoke the IAM user's keys and notify via SNS. AWS Config cannot revoke keys. IAM does not have built-in automatic revocation based on CloudTrail events. GuardDuty provides findings but does not automatically revoke credentials.
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.
✗
Use AWS CloudTrail to automatically disable the IAM user's access keys.
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail is logging; it cannot automatically disable keys.
✓
Create an Amazon EventBridge rule that triggers an AWS Lambda function to revoke the keys and send an SNS notification.
Why this is correct
EventBridge can match CloudTrail events, invoke Lambda to revoke keys, and publish to SNS.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Create an AWS Config rule that checks for excessive API calls and revokes keys.
Why it's wrong here
Config rules are for compliance, not real-time response.
✗
Enable Amazon GuardDuty to automatically revoke compromised credentials.
Why it's wrong here
GuardDuty generates findings but does not automatically revoke credentials.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 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.
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 — 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: Create an Amazon EventBridge rule that triggers an AWS Lambda function to revoke the keys and send an SNS notification. — AWS CloudTrail can trigger a Lambda function via CloudWatch Events (now Amazon EventBridge). The Lambda function can then revoke the IAM user's keys and notify via SNS. AWS Config cannot revoke keys. IAM does not have built-in automatic revocation based on CloudTrail events. GuardDuty provides findings but does not automatically revoke credentials.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
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.
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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