- A
Use AWS CloudTrail to monitor and alert on untagged instances.
Why wrong: CloudTrail only logs, it does not enforce tagging.
- B
Add an IAM policy to the user that uses a condition key 'aws:RequestTag/Creator' with a value '${aws:username}'.
This condition forces the user to include the tag with their username.
- C
Use AWS Config rules to automatically tag resources after creation.
Why wrong: This is reactive and may allow untagged resources temporarily.
- D
Create an SCP that denies EC2:RunInstances unless the request includes a 'Creator' tag with the user name.
Why wrong: SCPs cannot enforce tagging; they can only deny requests that lack required tags.
Question 1,260 of 1,748
Enforcing EC2 Tagging at Launch with IAM Policy Conditions
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of management and security governance. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A security engineer notices that an IAM user has permissions to launch EC2 instances but the engineer wants to ensure that all new instances are automatically tagged with the creator's user name. What is the most efficient way to enforce this?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add an IAM policy to the user that uses a condition key 'aws:RequestTag/Creator' with a value '${aws:username}'.
Option B is correct: using an IAM policy with a condition key 'aws:RequestTag/Creator' set to '${aws:username}' ensures that any EC2 RunInstances request must include the tag 'Creator' with the IAM user's name, otherwise the request is denied. This enforces tagging at the time of instance creation. Option A (CloudTrail) only provides auditing, not enforcement. Option C (AWS Config rules) can detect and remediate after creation but is less efficient than proactive enforcement. Option D (SCP) can deny based on missing tags but cannot enforce the tag value to match the user name; also, SCPs are used for account-wide policies, not per-user.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use AWS CloudTrail to monitor and alert on untagged instances.
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail only logs, it does not enforce tagging.
- ✓
Add an IAM policy to the user that uses a condition key 'aws:RequestTag/Creator' with a value '${aws:username}'.
Why this is correct
This condition forces the user to include the tag with their username.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Use AWS Config rules to automatically tag resources after creation.
Why it's wrong here
This is reactive and may allow untagged resources temporarily.
- ✗
Create an SCP that denies EC2:RunInstances unless the request includes a 'Creator' tag with the user name.
Why it's wrong here
SCPs cannot enforce tagging; they can only deny requests that lack required tags.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
- The first matching ACL entry is used.
- There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
- Check inbound versus outbound direction.
- Read the ACL from top to bottom.
- Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SCS-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Management and Security Governance — This question tests Management and Security Governance — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add an IAM policy to the user that uses a condition key 'aws:RequestTag/Creator' with a value '${aws:username}'. — Option B is correct: using an IAM policy with a condition key 'aws:RequestTag/Creator' set to '${aws:username}' ensures that any EC2 RunInstances request must include the tag 'Creator' with the IAM user's name, otherwise the request is denied. This enforces tagging at the time of instance creation. Option A (CloudTrail) only provides auditing, not enforcement. Option C (AWS Config rules) can detect and remediate after creation but is less efficient than proactive enforcement. Option D (SCP) can deny based on missing tags but cannot enforce the tag value to match the user name; also, SCPs are used for account-wide policies, not per-user.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SCS-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on SCS-C02
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A security engineer needs to ensure that all EC2 instances launched in a development account are tagged with a cost center. What is the most effective way to enforce this?
medium- A.Use AWS Config to detect untagged instances and send alerts
- B.Use AWS Systems Manager to tag instances after launch
- C.Create a tag policy in AWS Organizations requiring the cost center tag
- ✓ D.Use an IAM policy that denies ec2:RunInstances unless the request includes the cost center tag
Why D: Option D is correct because using an IAM policy with a condition key (e.g., `aws:RequestTag`) that denies `ec2:RunInstances` unless the `cost center` tag is specified in the API call enforces tagging at launch time. This prevents any untagged instance from being created, providing proactive enforcement rather than reactive detection or remediation.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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