- A
Enable S3 default encryption on the log bucket.
Why wrong: Option A is incorrect. Enabling S3 default encryption only provides encryption at rest but does not ensure immutability or prevent unauthorized deletion. The requirement for encryption at rest is already met by the Object Lock configuration in Option B.
- B
Enable S3 Object Lock and configure a bucket policy to deny s3:DeleteObject unless the principal is the security team.
Option B is correct. S3 Object Lock prevents objects from being deleted or overwritten for a specified retention period, ensuring immutability. A bucket policy with a condition that denies s3:DeleteObject unless the principal is the security team restricts deletion to the security team only.
- C
Stream logs to CloudWatch Logs and set a retention policy of 10 years.
Why wrong: Option C is incorrect. Streaming logs to CloudWatch Logs with a retention policy does not prevent deletion by administrators and does not provide immutability. It also does not centralize logs across accounts in an immutable way.
- D
Create an IAM role in each account that allows the security team to access logs.
Why wrong: Option D is incorrect. Creating an IAM role in each account allows the security team to access logs, but it does not centralize the logs themselves. Logs remain in each account's local storage, and there is no immutability guarantee.
- E
Enable CloudTrail organizational trail in the management account.
Option E is correct. An organizational CloudTrail trail in the management account automatically delivers CloudTrail logs from all accounts in the AWS Organization to a single S3 bucket, meeting the centralized logging requirement. Combined with Option B, the logs are immutable and deletion-restricted.
Centralized Immutable Logging: CloudTrail Organizational Trail + S3 Object Lock | AWS Security Specialty
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of management and security governance. 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 is designing a logging solution for a multi-account environment using AWS Organizations. The solution must meet the following requirements: - Logs from all accounts must be centrally stored and immutable. - Only the security team should be able to delete logs. - Logs must be encrypted at rest. Which TWO steps should the engineer take to meet these requirements? (Choose TWO.)
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Enable S3 Object Lock and configure a bucket policy to deny s3:DeleteObject unless the principal is the security team.
Options B and E are correct. Option B: S3 Object Lock prevents logs from being deleted or overwritten, ensuring immutability. Additionally, a bucket policy with a condition that denies s3:DeleteObject unless the principal is the security team ensures only they can delete logs. Option E: An organizational CloudTrail trail in the management account automatically delivers logs from all accounts in the organization to a single S3 bucket, meeting the centralized logging requirement. Option A is incorrect because S3 default encryption provides encryption at rest but does not address immutability or deletion control. Option C is incorrect because CloudWatch Logs retention policy does not prevent deletion by administrators and does not provide immutability. Option D is incorrect because creating an IAM role in each account does not centralize logs; it only provides access but logs remain in each account.
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.
- ✗
Enable S3 default encryption on the log bucket.
Why it's wrong here
Option A is incorrect. Enabling S3 default encryption only provides encryption at rest but does not ensure immutability or prevent unauthorized deletion. The requirement for encryption at rest is already met by the Object Lock configuration in Option B.
- ✓
Enable S3 Object Lock and configure a bucket policy to deny s3:DeleteObject unless the principal is the security team.
Why this is correct
Option B is correct. S3 Object Lock prevents objects from being deleted or overwritten for a specified retention period, ensuring immutability. A bucket policy with a condition that denies s3:DeleteObject unless the principal is the security team restricts deletion to the security team only.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Stream logs to CloudWatch Logs and set a retention policy of 10 years.
Why it's wrong here
Option C is incorrect. Streaming logs to CloudWatch Logs with a retention policy does not prevent deletion by administrators and does not provide immutability. It also does not centralize logs across accounts in an immutable way.
- ✗
Create an IAM role in each account that allows the security team to access logs.
Why it's wrong here
Option D is incorrect. Creating an IAM role in each account allows the security team to access logs, but it does not centralize the logs themselves. Logs remain in each account's local storage, and there is no immutability guarantee.
- ✓
Enable CloudTrail organizational trail in the management account.
Why this is correct
Option E is correct. An organizational CloudTrail trail in the management account automatically delivers CloudTrail logs from all accounts in the AWS Organization to a single S3 bucket, meeting the centralized logging requirement. Combined with Option B, the logs are immutable and deletion-restricted.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Management and Security Governance — This question tests Management and Security Governance — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable S3 Object Lock and configure a bucket policy to deny s3:DeleteObject unless the principal is the security team. — Options B and E are correct. Option B: S3 Object Lock prevents logs from being deleted or overwritten, ensuring immutability. Additionally, a bucket policy with a condition that denies s3:DeleteObject unless the principal is the security team ensures only they can delete logs. Option E: An organizational CloudTrail trail in the management account automatically delivers logs from all accounts in the organization to a single S3 bucket, meeting the centralized logging requirement. Option A is incorrect because S3 default encryption provides encryption at rest but does not address immutability or deletion control. Option C is incorrect because CloudWatch Logs retention policy does not prevent deletion by administrators and does not provide immutability. Option D is incorrect because creating an IAM role in each account does not centralize logs; it only provides access but logs remain in each account.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on SCS-C02
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 wants to use AWS CloudTrail to log all API activity across multiple accounts in AWS Organizations. Which configuration meets the requirement of centralized logging with minimal operational overhead?
medium- A.Create a CloudTrail trail in each account and aggregate logs to a common S3 bucket
- B.Enable CloudTrail in each account and use cross-account roles to centralize logs
- C.Use AWS Config to record API calls and send to CloudWatch Logs
- ✓ D.Create an organization trail in the management account that applies to all accounts
Why D: Option D is correct because creating an organization trail in the management account automatically applies to all accounts in AWS Organizations, centralizing CloudTrail logs into a single S3 bucket without requiring per-account configuration. This approach minimizes operational overhead by leveraging the Organizations integration, which handles log delivery from member accounts transparently.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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