The correct answer is Amazon GuardDuty and AWS Lambda. GuardDuty continuously monitors RDS database login activity and API calls to detect suspicious behavior such as brute force attempts or unusual access patterns, while Lambda provides the serverless compute power to trigger automated remediation actions like revoking security group rules or rotating credentials. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this pairing tests your understanding that detection alone is insufficient—you must pair a threat detection service with a response mechanism. A common trap is choosing RDS Enhanced Monitoring or Performance Insights, which focus on OS-level metrics and database load rather than security events. Remember: GuardDuty spots the threat, Lambda shuts the door.
SCS-C02 Threat Detection and Incident Response Practice Question
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 security engineer needs to detect and respond to suspicious activity on an Amazon RDS database. Which TWO services can be used together to monitor database activity and trigger automated remediation?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
AWS Lambda
Option B (RDS Enhanced Monitoring) provides OS-level metrics, not database queries. Option C (Amazon GuardDuty) does not monitor RDS data plane. Option D (Amazon Detective) analyzes findings but does not trigger remediation. Option E (AWS Lambda) can execute remediation. Option A (Amazon RDS Performance Insights) monitors database load, but for security, use CloudWatch Logs with metric filters. Actually, correct combination: Amazon RDS for monitoring (CloudWatch Logs) and Lambda for response. But the answer choices: Option A (Performance Insights) is for performance, not security. Option B (Enhanced Monitoring) is for OS metrics. Option C (GuardDuty) monitors RDS for suspicious behavior but does not trigger remediation directly. Option D (Detective) is analysis. Option E (Lambda) can be used for response. The best two are: GuardDuty (detection) and Lambda (response). However, GuardDuty does monitor RDS login events. So answer: C and E.
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.
✗
Amazon Detective
Why it's wrong here
Detective analyzes findings but does not trigger remediation.
✗
Amazon RDS Enhanced Monitoring
Why it's wrong here
Provides OS-level metrics, not database query monitoring.
✓
AWS Lambda
Why this is correct
Lambda can be used to automate response actions.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Amazon RDS Performance Insights
Why it's wrong here
Performance Insights focuses on database performance, not security.
✓
Amazon GuardDuty
Why this is correct
GuardDuty can detect suspicious activity on RDS, such as unusual login patterns.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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.
Threat Detection and Incident Response — This question tests Threat Detection and Incident Response — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: AWS Lambda — Option B (RDS Enhanced Monitoring) provides OS-level metrics, not database queries. Option C (Amazon GuardDuty) does not monitor RDS data plane. Option D (Amazon Detective) analyzes findings but does not trigger remediation. Option E (AWS Lambda) can execute remediation. Option A (Amazon RDS Performance Insights) monitors database load, but for security, use CloudWatch Logs with metric filters. Actually, correct combination: Amazon RDS for monitoring (CloudWatch Logs) and Lambda for response. But the answer choices: Option A (Performance Insights) is for performance, not security. Option B (Enhanced Monitoring) is for OS metrics. Option C (GuardDuty) monitors RDS for suspicious behavior but does not trigger remediation directly. Option D (Detective) is analysis. Option E (Lambda) can be used for response. The best two are: GuardDuty (detection) and Lambda (response). However, GuardDuty does monitor RDS login events. So answer: C and E.
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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