The correct action is to create an IAM policy that denies access unless MFA is present and attach it to all IAM users. This works because the policy uses a condition key, `aws:MultiFactorAuthPresent`, to check whether the user authenticated with a valid MFA token; if the condition evaluates to false, the policy explicitly denies all API actions, effectively enforcing MFA for console login. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of identity-based policies versus service control policies or password policies—common traps include confusing SCPs, which operate at the account level and cannot enforce MFA per user, or assuming the password policy can mandate MFA. Remember that MFA enforcement is a permission boundary, not a password rule. A useful memory tip: think “Deny unless MFA present” as the only way to lock down individual users, and keep in mind that the root user’s MFA is a separate security best practice, not an enforcement mechanism for all IAM users.
SCS-C02 Management and Security Governance Practice Question
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 company wants to enforce that all IAM users in its AWS account use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for console login. Which action should be taken to ensure compliance?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create an IAM policy that denies access unless MFA is present and attach it to all IAM users.
Option A is correct because an IAM policy with a condition that checks 'aws:MultiFactorAuthPresent' can deny API actions if MFA is not used. Option B is wrong because AWS Organizations service control policies (SCPs) cannot enforce MFA at the user level. Option C is wrong because MFA is not enforced through a password policy. Option D is wrong because MFA is not enforced by enabling it on the root 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.
✗
Apply an SCP to the AWS account that mandates MFA for all users.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: SCPs apply to AWS accounts and OUs, not to individual IAM users.
✓
Create an IAM policy that denies access unless MFA is present and attach it to all IAM users.
Why this is correct
Correct: IAM policies can use conditions to require MFA for access.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Enable MFA on the root user and share credentials with all users.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Root user MFA does not enforce MFA for IAM users.
✗
Configure the account password policy to require MFA.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Password policy does not enforce MFA; it only sets password requirements.
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.
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: Create an IAM policy that denies access unless MFA is present and attach it to all IAM users. — Option A is correct because an IAM policy with a condition that checks 'aws:MultiFactorAuthPresent' can deny API actions if MFA is not used. Option B is wrong because AWS Organizations service control policies (SCPs) cannot enforce MFA at the user level. Option C is wrong because MFA is not enforced through a password policy. Option D is wrong because MFA is not enforced by enabling it on the root 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 →
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 company wants to enforce that all IAM users in an AWS account must have multi-factor authentication (MFA) enabled. Which AWS service can be used to automatically detect and remediate non-compliant users?
medium
A.AWS Trusted Advisor
B.AWS IAM Access Analyzer
C.AWS CloudTrail
✓ D.AWS Config
Why D: AWS Config can evaluate IAM user MFA status using a managed rule (iam-user-mfa-enabled) and trigger automatic remediation via Systems Manager Automation or Lambda.
Variation 2. A company wants to ensure that all IAM users in an account have multi-factor authentication (MFA) enabled. A security administrator needs to identify users who do not have MFA. Which AWS service should the administrator use?
easy
A.AWS CloudTrail
B.IAM Access Analyzer
✓ C.IAM Credential Report
D.AWS Config
Why C: AWS IAM Credential Report lists all IAM users and their MFA status, providing a quick way to identify users without MFA. Option A (IAM Access Analyzer) focuses on resource policies. Option C (CloudTrail) logs events. Option D (AWS Config) can check compliance but requires a rule; the credential report is more direct.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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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.
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