Quick Answer
The answer is Amazon CloudWatch Logs, Amazon CloudWatch Events (EventBridge), and AWS CloudTrail. This trio works together because CloudTrail records every API call made by the root user as a log event, which is then sent to CloudWatch Logs for storage and monitoring. CloudWatch Events (now part of Amazon EventBridge) can then be configured with a rule that matches the specific userIdentity.type of “Root” in those log entries, triggering an action such as an SNS notification or a Lambda function to alert the security team in real time. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of detective controls and event-driven response—a common trap is forgetting that CloudTrail alone cannot alert; you must pair it with EventBridge and a notification service. A useful memory tip: “Trail logs, Bridge triggers, SNS yells” to recall the three components needed to detect and alert on AWS root user activity.
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security logging and monitoring. 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 engineer wants to detect and alert on AWS account root user activity. Which THREE services can be used together to achieve this? (Select THREE.)
AWS Config
Why wrong: Config records resource state, not API calls.
Amazon CloudWatch Events (EventBridge)
CloudWatch Events can filter and alert on root user events.
AWS CloudTrail
CloudTrail records root user API calls.
Amazon CloudWatch Logs
CloudTrail logs can be sent to CloudWatch Logs.
Amazon GuardDuty
Why wrong: GuardDuty does not monitor root user activity.
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)
Amazon CloudWatch Events (EventBridge) is correct because it can be used to create a rule that matches specific API calls recorded by AWS CloudTrail. When the root user performs an action, CloudTrail logs the event, and EventBridge can trigger a notification (e.g., via SNS or Lambda) based on that event. This combination allows real-time detection and alerting of root user activity.
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 records resource state, not API calls.
Amazon CloudWatch Events (EventBridge)
Why this is correct
CloudWatch Events can filter and alert on root user events.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
AWS CloudTrail
Why this is correct
CloudTrail records root user API calls.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Amazon CloudWatch Logs
Why this is correct
CloudTrail logs can be sent to CloudWatch Logs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Amazon GuardDuty
Why it's wrong here
GuardDuty does not monitor root user activity.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may think Amazon GuardDuty is the correct choice because it detects threats, but it does not provide a native, customizable alerting mechanism for root user activity; instead, the combination of CloudTrail, EventBridge, and CloudWatch Logs is the standard AWS-recommended approach.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, CloudTrail records root user events with the `userIdentity.type` field set to `Root`. An EventBridge rule can use an event pattern like `{"source":["aws.signin"],"detail-type":["AWS Console Sign In via CloudTrail"],"detail":{"userIdentity":{"type":["Root"]}}}` to match root logins. For API calls, the pattern would target `source: aws.cloudtrail` and filter on `userIdentity.type: Root`. This setup ensures that any root activity—whether console login or API call—triggers an alert, which is critical because root user actions bypass IAM permissions and are a security risk.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. 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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Security Logging and Monitoring — This question tests Security Logging and Monitoring — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Amazon CloudWatch Events (EventBridge) — Amazon CloudWatch Events (EventBridge) is correct because it can be used to create a rule that matches specific API calls recorded by AWS CloudTrail. When the root user performs an action, CloudTrail logs the event, and EventBridge can trigger a notification (e.g., via SNS or Lambda) based on that event. This combination allows real-time detection and alerting of root user activity.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company needs to be alerted when root account credentials are used in their AWS account. Which service should be used to create a metric filter and alarm for this event?
easyWhy D: CloudWatch Logs can monitor CloudTrail logs for root account usage. A metric filter and alarm can be set up. GuardDuty has a finding for root usage but the requirement is to create a custom alarm. Config evaluates resources.
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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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