The answer is to create an IAM policy with a condition that denies all actions unless aws:MultiFactorAuthPresent is true, and then attach that policy to all IAM users or groups. This works because the condition key explicitly checks whether the session was established using MFA; without it, the Deny effect blocks every API call, effectively enforcing MFA for all AWS API calls. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of identity-based policies versus service control policies (SCPs) and the common trap that SCPs only apply to member accounts, not to users in the same account. Remember that a password policy alone only secures console login, and access keys remain unprotected unless the MFA condition is applied. A useful memory tip: “Deny unless MFA present” is the only way to lock down API access—think of it as a bouncer checking ID before anyone enters the club.
SCS-C02 Identity and Access Management Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of identity and access management. 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.
An organization wants to enforce that all IAM users must use MFA to access the AWS API. Which TWO steps should be taken?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Attach the policy to all IAM users or to a group that all users belong to.
Options B and C are correct. An IAM policy with a condition that denies access if MFA is not present (B) must be attached to all users or groups (C). Option A is wrong because an SCP cannot enforce MFA for IAM users in the same account; it applies to member accounts. Option D is wrong because password policy only affects console login. Option E is wrong because access keys are not affected by MFA policies unless the condition is used.
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.
Attach the policy to all IAM users or to a group that all users belong to.
Why this is correct
The policy must be applied to users to take effect.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Create an IAM policy with a condition that denies all actions unless aws:MultiFactorAuthPresent is true.
Why this is correct
This policy explicitly denies access when MFA is not present.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure the account password policy to require MFA.
Why it's wrong here
Password policy only affects console login, not API access.
✗
Create a service control policy (SCP) that requires MFA for all API calls.
Why it's wrong here
SCPs apply to member accounts, not to the master account's IAM users.
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 policy to all IAM users or to a group that all users belong to. — Options B and C are correct. An IAM policy with a condition that denies access if MFA is not present (B) must be attached to all users or groups (C). Option A is wrong because an SCP cannot enforce MFA for IAM users in the same account; it applies to member accounts. Option D is wrong because password policy only affects console login. Option E is wrong because access keys are not affected by MFA policies unless the condition is used.
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.
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 →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.