- A
Rotate all IAM user access keys.
Why wrong: Option A is wrong because rotating access keys does not enforce MFA; it just changes keys.
- B
Attach the policy to all IAM users or to a group that all users belong to.
Attach the policy to all IAM users or to a group that all users belong to. This ensures the policy applies to everyone.
- C
Create an IAM policy with a condition that denies all actions unless aws:MultiFactorAuthPresent is true.
Create an IAM policy with a condition that denies all actions unless aws:MultiFactorAuthPresent is true. This is the enforcement mechanism.
- D
Configure the account password policy to require MFA.
Why wrong: Option D is wrong because password policy only affects console login, not API access.
- E
Create a service control policy (SCP) that requires MFA for all API calls.
Why wrong: Option E is wrong because an SCP cannot enforce MFA for IAM users in the same account; it applies to member accounts only.
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 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
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 (C) must be attached to all users or groups (B). Option A is wrong because rotating access keys does not enforce MFA. Option D is wrong because password policy only affects console login. Option E is wrong because SCPs cannot enforce MFA for IAM users in the same account; they apply to member accounts.
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.
- ✗
Rotate all IAM user access keys.
Why it's wrong here
Option A is wrong because rotating access keys does not enforce MFA; it just changes keys.
- ✓
Attach the policy to all IAM users or to a group that all users belong to.
Why this is correct
Attach the policy to all IAM users or to a group that all users belong to. This ensures the policy applies to everyone.
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
Create an IAM policy with a condition that denies all actions unless aws:MultiFactorAuthPresent is true. This is the enforcement mechanism.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Configure the account password policy to require MFA.
Why it's wrong here
Option D is wrong because 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
Option E is wrong because an SCP cannot enforce MFA for IAM users in the same account; it applies to member accounts only.
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.
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Identity and Access Management — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
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 (C) must be attached to all users or groups (B). Option A is wrong because rotating access keys does not enforce MFA. Option D is wrong because password policy only affects console login. Option E is wrong because SCPs cannot enforce MFA for IAM users in the same account; they apply to member accounts.
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 →
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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.
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