The correct combination is AWS Config with AWS Lambda and Amazon Simple Notification Service (SNS). AWS Config continuously records and evaluates changes to S3 bucket policies against desired configurations, and when a policy change that allows public access is detected, it can trigger a Lambda function via Amazon EventBridge, which then publishes an alert through SNS. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how AWS Config serves as a resource change recorder and evaluator, distinct from CloudTrail which only logs API calls without native alerting. A common trap is choosing CloudTrail alone, but remember that CloudTrail requires additional processing to trigger actions, while AWS Config directly integrates with EventBridge for real-time remediation. Another pitfall is selecting Trusted Advisor, which performs periodic checks rather than continuous monitoring. Memory tip: think "Config catches the change, Lambda acts, SNS alerts" — the three services form a detection-to-notification pipeline that the exam loves to test.
SCS-C02 Security Logging and Monitoring Practice Question
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 company uses Amazon S3 to store sensitive data. The security team needs to be alerted when an S3 bucket policy is changed to allow public access. Which combination of services should be used to meet this requirement?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
AWS Config with AWS Lambda and Amazon Simple Notification Service (SNS)
Option B is correct because AWS Config records S3 bucket policy changes and can trigger a Lambda function via Amazon EventBridge to send alerts. Option A is wrong because CloudTrail alone does not trigger alerts; it logs events but requires further processing. Option C is wrong because AWS Trusted Advisor provides security checks but does not monitor for real-time changes. Option D is wrong because S3 server access logs do not include bucket policy changes.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
AWS CloudTrail and Amazon Simple Notification Service (SNS)
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail logs changes but does not directly trigger SNS; you need a monitoring service like Amazon EventBridge.
✗
S3 server access logs and Amazon Athena
Why it's wrong here
Server access logs do not capture bucket policy changes.
✗
AWS Trusted Advisor and Amazon Simple Notification Service (SNS)
Why it's wrong here
Trusted Advisor provides periodic checks, not real-time monitoring.
✓
AWS Config with AWS Lambda and Amazon Simple Notification Service (SNS)
Why this is correct
AWS Config can evaluate S3 bucket policy changes and invoke a Lambda function to send SNS alerts.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SCS-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Security Logging and Monitoring — This question tests Security Logging and Monitoring — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: AWS Config with AWS Lambda and Amazon Simple Notification Service (SNS) — Option B is correct because AWS Config records S3 bucket policy changes and can trigger a Lambda function via Amazon EventBridge to send alerts. Option A is wrong because CloudTrail alone does not trigger alerts; it logs events but requires further processing. Option C is wrong because AWS Trusted Advisor provides security checks but does not monitor for real-time changes. Option D is wrong because S3 server access logs do not include bucket policy changes.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SCS-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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