- A
The filter pattern syntax is incorrect; it should use square brackets.
Why wrong: The filter pattern uses correct curly braces and syntax; square brackets are not required.
- B
The metric filter is not associated with the correct log group.
Correct. If the metric filter is not associated with the correct log group (or the log group lacks IAM CreateAccessKey events), it will not trigger.
- C
CloudWatch Logs does not support metric filters for CloudTrail logs.
Why wrong: CloudWatch Logs fully supports metric filters for CloudTrail logs.
- D
The filter pattern does not include the eventSource field, so it might match events from other services.
Why wrong: Missing eventSource does not prevent the filter from triggering; it only broadens the match scope. This is not the likely reason for no trigger.
Troubleshooting: CloudWatch Metric Filter Pattern Not Triggering for CreateAccessKey
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. A key principle to apply: cloudWatch Logs Metric Filter. 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 configuring AWS CloudWatch Logs to monitor for suspicious activity. They want to create a metric filter that detects when an IAM user calls the `iam:CreateAccessKey` API. The engineer writes the following filter pattern: `{ ($.eventName = "CreateAccessKey") }`. After testing, the filter does not trigger. What is the most likely reason?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The metric filter is not associated with the correct log group.
The filter pattern `{ ($.eventName = "CreateAccessKey") }` is syntactically correct and will match any CloudTrail event with eventName CreateAccessKey, regardless of service. The most likely reason the filter does not trigger is that the metric filter is not associated with the correct log group, or the log group does not contain CloudTrail events from IAM. A missing eventSource field does not prevent the filter from working; it would simply match events from any service, which could cause false positives, but not a failure to trigger.
Key principle: CloudWatch Logs Metric Filter
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The filter pattern syntax is incorrect; it should use square brackets.
Why it's wrong here
The filter pattern uses correct curly braces and syntax; square brackets are not required.
- ✓
The metric filter is not associated with the correct log group.
- ✗
CloudWatch Logs does not support metric filters for CloudTrail logs.
Why it's wrong here
CloudWatch Logs fully supports metric filters for CloudTrail logs.
- ✗
The filter pattern does not include the eventSource field, so it might match events from other services.
Why it's wrong here
Missing eventSource does not prevent the filter from triggering; it only broadens the match scope. This is not the likely reason for no trigger.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates often focus on filter pattern syntax or missing fields when the filter doesn't trigger, but the most common cause is misconfiguration of the metric filter's association to the log group. Always verify the log group contains the expected CloudTrail events and that the metric filter is correctly linked.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
CloudWatch Logs metric filters evaluate log events against a pattern using JSON property notation. When filtering CloudTrail logs, the `eventSource` field (e.g., `iam.amazonaws.com`) is critical to isolate events from a specific service; without it, a pattern like `{ ($.eventName = "CreateAccessKey") }` will match any log event with that eventName, regardless of source. In practice, if the log group contains logs from multiple services (e.g., via a central CloudTrail trail), the filter might match events from services like `organizations.amazonaws.com` that also use `CreateAccessKey`, leading to incorrect metric counts or no match if the expected IAM events are not present.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CloudWatch Logs Metric Filter
- CloudTrail Logs
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
CloudWatch Logs Metric Filter
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review cloudWatch Logs Metric Filter, then practise related SCS-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Threat Detection and Incident Response — This question tests Threat Detection and Incident Response — CloudWatch Logs Metric Filter.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The metric filter is not associated with the correct log group. — The filter pattern `{ ($.eventName = "CreateAccessKey") }` is syntactically correct and will match any CloudTrail event with eventName CreateAccessKey, regardless of service. The most likely reason the filter does not trigger is that the metric filter is not associated with the correct log group, or the log group does not contain CloudTrail events from IAM. A missing eventSource field does not prevent the filter from working; it would simply match events from any service, which could cause false positives, but not a failure to trigger.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review cloudWatch Logs Metric Filter, then practise related SCS-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CloudWatch Logs Metric Filter
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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