- A
Set an IAM password policy requiring MFA.
Why wrong: IAM password policy can require strong passwords or rotation, but it cannot enforce MFA usage.
- B
Enable MFA devices for all IAM users.
Correct. Each IAM user must have an MFA device assigned to be able to authenticate via MFA.
- C
Create an IAM policy that denies all actions unless MFA is authenticated.
Correct. A policy with a condition denying access unless MFA is present enforces MFA on every API call.
- D
Use IAM Access Analyzer to validate policies.
Why wrong: IAM Access Analyzer helps identify resources shared with external entities, but it does not directly enforce MFA usage.
- E
Use AWS Single Sign-On (SSO) with MFA.
Correct. AWS SSO can be configured to require MFA for all users, providing a centralized enforcement mechanism that can replace direct IAM user management.
SCS-C02 MFA enforcement Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of identity and access management. 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. A key principle to apply: mFA enforcement. 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 company wants to enforce that all IAM users use MFA. Which THREE actions should be taken to achieve 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
Enable MFA devices for all IAM users.
To enforce MFA for all IAM users, three key actions are needed. First, enable MFA devices for each user (B) so they have a device to authenticate with. Second, create an IAM policy that denies all actions unless the request includes MFA authentication (C); this policy uses the aws:MultiFactorAuthPresent condition key. Third, use AWS Single Sign-On (SSO) with MFA (E) as a centralized approach to enforce MFA, which can be applied to both federated and IAM users if migrated. Options A (password policy) does not enforce MFA, and D (IAM Access Analyzer) analyzes policies for unintended access, not MFA enforcement.
Key principle: MFA enforcement
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Set an IAM password policy requiring MFA.
Why it's wrong here
IAM password policy can require strong passwords or rotation, but it cannot enforce MFA usage.
- ✓
Enable MFA devices for all IAM users.
- ✓
Create an IAM policy that denies all actions unless MFA is authenticated.
- ✗
Use IAM Access Analyzer to validate policies.
Why it's wrong here
IAM Access Analyzer helps identify resources shared with external entities, but it does not directly enforce MFA usage.
- ✓
Use AWS Single Sign-On (SSO) with MFA.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing IAM password policy settings with MFA enforcement mechanisms, leading candidates to select option A, which does not exist in AWS IAM.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The IAM policy in option C uses a condition key like `aws:MultiFactorAuthPresent` with a value of `false` to deny all actions unless MFA is authenticated. This policy must be attached to all users or groups, and it evaluates at each API call; if the session does not have an MFA-authenticated token, the request is denied. Option D, IAM Access Analyzer, validates policies for overly permissive statements but does not enforce MFA; it is a policy analysis tool, not an enforcement mechanism.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- MFA enforcement
- aws:MultiFactorAuthPresent condition
- AWS SSO MFA
- IAM Access Analyzer
TExam Day Tips
- 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
MFA enforcement
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 mFA enforcement, then practise related SCS-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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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 — MFA enforcement.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable MFA devices for all IAM users. — To enforce MFA for all IAM users, three key actions are needed. First, enable MFA devices for each user (B) so they have a device to authenticate with. Second, create an IAM policy that denies all actions unless the request includes MFA authentication (C); this policy uses the aws:MultiFactorAuthPresent condition key. Third, use AWS Single Sign-On (SSO) with MFA (E) as a centralized approach to enforce MFA, which can be applied to both federated and IAM users if migrated. Options A (password policy) does not enforce MFA, and D (IAM Access Analyzer) analyzes policies for unintended access, not MFA enforcement.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review mFA enforcement, then practise related SCS-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
MFA enforcement
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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