The answer is to create an IAM role with permissions for logs:CreateLogStream and logs:PutLogEvents, and then configure the EC2 instance to send logs using the CloudWatch agent. This is correct because EC2 instances cannot directly write to a CloudWatch log group without an IAM role that grants those specific write actions, as the instance assumes the role to authenticate with the CloudWatch Logs API. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of least-privilege IAM policies versus resource-based policies—a common trap is assuming log groups need a resource policy for EC2, but IAM roles are sufficient for instance-level access. Remember that the CloudWatch agent must be installed and running on the instance to actually push the logs; simply attaching the role is not enough. Memory tip: think "Role and Agent" for logs to be present—without both, your logs stay absent.
SCS-C02 Identity and Access Management Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of identity and access management. 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 design a system where an EC2 instance can write logs to a CloudWatch log group. Which TWO steps are required?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Attach the IAM role to the EC2 instance profile.
Options A and C are correct because the IAM role attached to EC2 must have permission to write logs, and the instance must be configured to send logs. Option B is wrong because CloudWatch log groups don't have resource policies for EC2; IAM roles suffice. Option D is wrong because SSE is optional. Option E is wrong because CloudWatch agent needs to be installed and configured.
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.
✗
Enable server-side encryption for the log group.
Why it's wrong here
Encryption is not required for writing logs.
✓
Attach the IAM role to the EC2 instance profile.
Why this is correct
The role must be attached to the instance to provide credentials.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Create a CloudWatch log group resource policy that allows the EC2 instance to write logs.
Why it's wrong here
CloudWatch log groups use IAM roles, not resource policies for EC2.
✗
Install and configure the CloudWatch agent on the EC2 instance.
Why it's wrong here
While often used, it's not strictly required; the instance can use SDK directly.
✓
Create an IAM role with the policy allowing logs:CreateLogStream and logs:PutLogEvents.
Why this is correct
The EC2 instance needs permission to create log streams and put events.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 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.
Identify which SCS-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Identity and Access Management — This question tests Identity and Access Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Attach the IAM role to the EC2 instance profile. — Options A and C are correct because the IAM role attached to EC2 must have permission to write logs, and the instance must be configured to send logs. Option B is wrong because CloudWatch log groups don't have resource policies for EC2; IAM roles suffice. Option D is wrong because SSE is optional. Option E is wrong because CloudWatch agent needs to be installed and configured.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Identify which SCS-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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
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