Quick Answer
The correct answer is AWS WAF and AWS Shield Advanced. AWS WAF is essential for detection and mitigation because it allows you to deploy web access control lists (web ACLs) directly on your Application Load Balancer, using rate-based rules to automatically block IP addresses that exceed a defined request threshold within a five-minute window—this stops layer 7 DDoS attacks like HTTP floods or SQL injection attempts at the edge. AWS Shield Advanced adds a critical layer of detection and mitigation by providing enhanced network-layer protections, dedicated DDoS response team (DRT) access, and cost protection against scaling charges during an attack. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this pairing tests your understanding of layered defense: Shield Advanced handles volumetric layer 3/4 attacks, while WAF handles application-layer threats. A common trap is choosing Shield Advanced alone, forgetting that WAF is required for granular HTTP filtering. Memory tip: think "WAF for the app, Shield for the pipe."
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 company wants to use AWS services to detect and respond to a potential DDoS attack on their web application hosted on EC2 instances behind an Application Load Balancer (ALB). Which TWO AWS services should the company use for detection and mitigation?
AWS WAF
WAF can create rate-based rules to block excessive requests.
AWS Shield Advanced
Shield Advanced provides DDoS detection and automated mitigation.
Amazon Route 53
Why wrong: Route 53 is a DNS service, not for DDoS detection.
Amazon CloudFront
Why wrong: CloudFront can help absorb DDoS but is not primarily a detection service.
Amazon GuardDuty
Why wrong: GuardDuty does not specifically detect DDoS attacks.
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 WAF
AWS WAF is correct because it allows you to create web access control lists (web ACLs) to filter and monitor HTTP/HTTPS requests to your Application Load Balancer. By defining rate-based rules, you can automatically block IP addresses that exceed a threshold of requests per 5-minute window, mitigating layer 7 DDoS attacks such as HTTP floods or SQL injection attempts.
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 WAF
Why this is correct
WAF can create rate-based rules to block excessive requests.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
AWS Shield Advanced
Why this is correct
Shield Advanced provides DDoS detection and automated mitigation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Amazon Route 53
Why it's wrong here
Route 53 is a DNS service, not for DDoS detection.
Amazon CloudFront
Why it's wrong here
CloudFront can help absorb DDoS but is not primarily a detection service.
Amazon GuardDuty
Why it's wrong here
GuardDuty does not specifically detect DDoS attacks.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse AWS Shield Advanced (which provides network-layer DDoS detection and mitigation) with AWS WAF (which provides application-layer filtering), but the question requires both detection and mitigation, and Shield Advanced alone does not offer the granular application-layer rule customization that WAF provides for an ALB-based web application.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, AWS WAF integrates with ALB via a web ACL that inspects each incoming request against rules such as string matching, regex patterns, or rate limits. When a rate-based rule triggers, WAF automatically blocks the offending source IP for the duration of the rate window, providing near-real-time mitigation. A real-world scenario is a Layer 7 DDoS attack that sends thousands of legitimate-looking GET requests per second; WAF's rate-based rules can distinguish this from normal traffic by setting a threshold based on historical baselines.
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Threat Detection and Incident Response — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Threat Detection and Incident Response practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All SCS-C02 questions
1,738 questions across all exam domains
AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
SCS-C02 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to Threat Detection and Incident Response.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to Security Logging and Monitoring.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to Identity and Access Management.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to Management and Security Governance.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to Infrastructure Security.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to Data Protection.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to SCS-C02 fundamentals.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to SCS-C02 scenario.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to SCS-C02 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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 WAF — AWS WAF is correct because it allows you to create web access control lists (web ACLs) to filter and monitor HTTP/HTTPS requests to your Application Load Balancer. By defining rate-based rules, you can automatically block IP addresses that exceed a threshold of requests per 5-minute window, mitigating layer 7 DDoS attacks such as HTTP floods or SQL injection attempts.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.