The correct choice is AWS CloudFormation StackSets to deploy a CloudTrail template across all accounts in the organization. StackSets allow you to automatically deploy and manage infrastructure as code across multiple AWS accounts and Regions from a single operation, making them ideal for enforcing a centralized CloudTrail configuration as new member accounts are added to AWS Organizations. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of proactive, automated enforcement versus reactive or manual approaches—common traps include confusing AWS Config rules (which detect but cannot enable) or SCPs (which deny but cannot create resources) with deployment tools. Remember the key distinction: StackSets push resources out, while SCPs and Config only govern or audit existing ones. A useful memory tip is “StackSets set it and forget it,” reinforcing that this is the only option that automatically deploys and maintains the CloudTrail configuration across all accounts with minimal operational overhead.
SCS-C02 Security Logging and Monitoring Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security logging and monitoring. 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 company uses AWS Organizations with multiple accounts. The security team needs to ensure that all accounts have CloudTrail enabled and that logs are delivered to a central S3 bucket. A new member account is created and the security engineer wants to enforce this configuration automatically. Which approach meets these requirements with the least operational overhead?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "least"
Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use AWS CloudFormation StackSets to deploy a CloudTrail template to all accounts in the organization.
Option D is correct because AWS CloudFormation StackSets can deploy a CloudTrail template across all accounts in an organization automatically. Option A is wrong because AWS Config rules are reactive and cannot enable CloudTrail. Option B is wrong because SCPs can deny disabling CloudTrail but cannot enable it. Option C is wrong because AWS Lambda would require manual setup and maintenance.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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 Config rules to detect accounts without CloudTrail and trigger a remediation via Systems Manager Automation.
Why it's wrong here
Config rules only detect and remediate after the fact, not proactively.
✓
Use AWS CloudFormation StackSets to deploy a CloudTrail template to all accounts in the organization.
Why this is correct
StackSets automatically deploy resources to new accounts when configured with automatic deployment.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Use an SCP to deny cloudtrail:StopLogging and cloudtrail:DeleteTrail actions.
Why it's wrong here
SCPs prevent disabling but do not enable CloudTrail.
✗
Create an AWS Lambda function that runs periodically to check and enable CloudTrail in each account.
Why it's wrong here
Requires custom code and scheduling, more overhead.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SCS-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Security Logging and Monitoring — This question tests Security Logging and Monitoring — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use AWS CloudFormation StackSets to deploy a CloudTrail template to all accounts in the organization. — Option D is correct because AWS CloudFormation StackSets can deploy a CloudTrail template across all accounts in an organization automatically. Option A is wrong because AWS Config rules are reactive and cannot enable CloudTrail. Option B is wrong because SCPs can deny disabling CloudTrail but cannot enable it. Option C is wrong because AWS Lambda would require manual setup and maintenance.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SCS-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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