Quick Answer
The answer is AWS Systems Manager Automation. This is the correct choice because it integrates with Amazon GuardDuty findings, such as UnauthorizedAccess:IAMUser/AnomalousBehavior, via Amazon EventBridge to trigger a pre-built automation document that immediately revokes the compromised IAM user’s access keys and applies a deny-all policy, enabling a fully automated, low-latency response without custom code. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of automated incident response workflows—specifically, how to automatically revoke IAM user credentials when GuardDuty detects anomalous behavior. A common trap is choosing AWS Lambda or AWS Config, but Lambda requires custom code and Config is for compliance, not real-time revocation. Remember the memory tip: “GuardDuty finds, EventBridge binds, Systems Manager binds—keys revoked, access confined.”
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 discovers that an IAM user's credentials are being used from an unusual geographic location. Which AWS service can provide automated response to revoke the user's access immediately?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "immediately / without restart"
Why it matters: Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
Amazon GuardDuty
Why wrong: GuardDuty detects anomalous behavior but does not automatically remediate.
AWS Systems Manager Automation
SSM Automation runbooks can execute actions like disabling access keys in response to events.
AWS Lambda
Why wrong: Lambda can be used but requires custom code; SSM Automation is simpler.
AWS Config
Why wrong: Config can auto-remediate but is not designed for real-time credential revocation.
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 is correct because it can be triggered by Amazon GuardDuty findings (e.g., UnauthorizedAccess:IAMUser/AnomalousBehavior) via Amazon EventBridge to run an automation document that immediately revokes the IAM user's access keys and applies a deny-all policy. This provides a fully automated, low-latency response without requiring manual intervention or custom code.
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.
Amazon GuardDuty
Why it's wrong here
GuardDuty detects anomalous behavior but does not automatically remediate.
AWS Systems Manager Automation
Why this is correct
SSM Automation runbooks can execute actions like disabling access keys in response to events.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
AWS Lambda
Why it's wrong here
Lambda can be used but requires custom code; SSM Automation is simpler.
AWS Config
Why it's wrong here
Config can auto-remediate but is not designed for real-time credential revocation.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often pick Amazon GuardDuty because they associate it with threat detection, but they overlook that GuardDuty only detects and alerts—it requires a separate automation service like Systems Manager Automation to actually perform the revocation.
Detailed technical explanation
Systems Manager Automation uses SSM documents (e.g., AWS-RevokeS3BucketPolicy or custom runbooks) that can be invoked by EventBridge rules matching GuardDuty findings. The automation can call the IAM API to delete or deactivate access keys, attach a DenyAll policy, or even create a support case—all logged in AWS CloudTrail for audit. In a real-world scenario, this enables a 'self-healing' security posture where a compromised credential is neutralized within seconds of detection.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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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 is correct because it can be triggered by Amazon GuardDuty findings (e.g., UnauthorizedAccess:IAMUser/AnomalousBehavior) via Amazon EventBridge to run an automation document that immediately revokes the IAM user's access keys and applies a deny-all policy. This provides a fully automated, low-latency response without requiring manual intervention or custom code.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "immediately / without restart". Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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