Network Topology
- A
AWS service
Why wrong: The type is not 'AWSService'.
- B
Assumed role
Why wrong: The type is not 'AssumedRole'.
- C
Root user
Why wrong: The userIdentity type is 'IAMUser', not 'Root'.
- D
IAM user
The userIdentity type is 'IAMUser'.
Question 1,544 of 1,748
Identifying IAM Users in AWS CloudTrail Logs
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security logging and monitoring. 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. 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.
Network Topology
Refer to the exhibit. A security engineer uses the AWS CLI command shown to investigate a console login event. What type of user performed the login?
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
✓
IAM user
The `userIdentity` field in the CloudTrail log shows `arn:aws:iam::123456789012:user/Bob`, which is the ARN of an IAM user. The `type` field is `IAMUser`, confirming the login was performed by an IAM user. This is distinct from other identity types like assumed roles or root users.
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.
- ✗
AWS service
Why it's wrong here
The type is not 'AWSService'.
- ✗
Assumed role
Why it's wrong here
The type is not 'AssumedRole'.
- ✗
Root user
Why it's wrong here
The userIdentity type is 'IAMUser', not 'Root'.
- ✓
IAM user
Why this is correct
The userIdentity type is 'IAMUser'.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse the `userIdentity` type `IAMUser` with `AssumedRole` when the user has permissions from a role, but the CloudTrail log explicitly shows the `type` field as `IAMUser`, not `AssumedRole`.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
CloudTrail logs capture the `userIdentity` object with a `type` field that can be `Root`, `IAMUser`, `AssumedRole`, `AWSService`, or `FederatedUser`. The ARN for an IAM user follows the pattern `arn:aws:iam::account-id:user/username`, while an assumed role ARN includes `assumed-role/role-name/role-session-name`. This distinction is critical for auditing and forensic analysis, especially when investigating unauthorized access or privilege escalation.
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.
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
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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Security Logging and Monitoring — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Security Logging and Monitoring — This question tests Security Logging and Monitoring — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: IAM user — The `userIdentity` field in the CloudTrail log shows `arn:aws:iam::123456789012:user/Bob`, which is the ARN of an IAM user. The `type` field is `IAMUser`, confirming the login was performed by an IAM user. This is distinct from other identity types like assumed roles or root users.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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