The answer is AWS Config and AWS Lambda. AWS Config continuously monitors and records changes to S3 bucket public access settings, such as the `PublicAccessBlockConfiguration` or bucket ACLs, and can trigger a Lambda function via an SNS topic to send an immediate alert. This combination is correct because Config provides the detection layer for configuration drift, while Lambda handles the automated response, enabling real-time detection and alerting for unauthorized public access changes. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to integrate Config rules with event-driven compute for security automation; a common trap is selecting CloudTrail alone, which logs API calls but does not evaluate configuration compliance or trigger custom actions. Memory tip: think of Config as the security camera that spots the change, and Lambda as the alarm that sounds.
SCS-C02 Threat Detection and Incident Response Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of threat detection and incident response. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 needs to ensure that any changes to an S3 bucket's public access settings are immediately detected and an alert is sent. Which combination of AWS services should be used?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "immediately / without restart"
Why it matters: Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
AWS Config and AWS Lambda
AWS Config continuously monitors and records changes to AWS resource configurations, including S3 bucket public access settings. By creating a Config rule that triggers on changes to the `PublicAccessBlockConfiguration` or bucket ACLs, you can invoke an AWS Lambda function via an Amazon SNS topic to send an alert. This combination provides real-time detection and automated response to unauthorized public access changes.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Amazon GuardDuty and AWS Lambda
Why it's wrong here
GuardDuty is for threat detection, not configuration changes.
✗
Amazon CloudWatch Logs and Amazon SNS
Why it's wrong here
CloudWatch Logs does not directly monitor S3 bucket settings.
✗
AWS CloudTrail and Amazon CloudWatch Logs
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail logs API calls but does not evaluate configuration compliance.
✓
AWS Config and AWS Lambda
Why this is correct
Config can evaluate S3 bucket public access settings and trigger a Lambda function for alerting.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse AWS CloudTrail (which logs API calls) with AWS Config (which evaluates configuration compliance), leading them to choose Option C, but CloudTrail alone cannot trigger alerts without additional services like CloudWatch Logs and Lambda, and it lacks the continuous compliance evaluation that AWS Config provides.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS Config evaluates resource configurations against desired rules (e.g., `s3-bucket-public-read-prohibited`) and triggers an event via Amazon EventBridge or SNS when a non-compliant change is detected. Under the hood, Config uses a configuration recorder to capture resource state changes and compares them against the rule's logic, which can include custom Lambda functions for complex evaluations. In a real-world scenario, this setup ensures that if an administrator accidentally removes the public access block on a sensitive bucket, the Lambda function can automatically reapply the block and notify the security team within seconds.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
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 — This question tests Threat Detection and Incident Response — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: AWS Config and AWS Lambda — AWS Config continuously monitors and records changes to AWS resource configurations, including S3 bucket public access settings. By creating a Config rule that triggers on changes to the `PublicAccessBlockConfiguration` or bucket ACLs, you can invoke an AWS Lambda function via an Amazon SNS topic to send an alert. This combination provides real-time detection and automated response to unauthorized public access changes.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "immediately / without restart". Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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