- A
Enable CloudTrail log file validation.
Why wrong: Log file validation ensures integrity, not immutability against deletion.
- B
Enable AWS CloudTrail in all regions.
CloudTrail logs all API calls across regions.
- C
Store CloudTrail logs in an S3 bucket with Object Lock enabled in Compliance mode.
Compliance mode prevents any user from deleting objects.
- D
Send CloudTrail logs to CloudWatch Logs with a retention policy.
Why wrong: CloudWatch Logs retention policy only controls how long logs are kept; they can be deleted.
- E
Enable S3 versioning on the destination bucket.
Why wrong: Versioning allows overwrites and does not prevent deletion of objects.
Question 1,709 of 1,748
SCS-C02 AWS CloudTrail Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security logging and monitoring. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. A key principle to apply: aWS CloudTrail. 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 needs to ensure that all API calls made to AWS are logged and that the logs are immutable. Which TWO steps should be taken? (Choose TWO.)
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 AWS CloudTrail in all regions.
Option B is correct because enabling AWS CloudTrail in all regions ensures that all management events across every region are logged, which is essential for comprehensive security monitoring and compliance. However, note that data events (e.g., S3 object-level operations) require explicit configuration in the trail. Option C is correct because storing CloudTrail logs in an S3 bucket with Object Lock enabled in Compliance mode prevents any user, including the root user, from deleting or overwriting log files, ensuring immutability. Together, these steps satisfy the requirement that all API calls are logged and the logs are immutable.
Key principle: AWS CloudTrail
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Enable CloudTrail log file validation.
Why it's wrong here
Log file validation ensures integrity, not immutability against deletion.
- ✓
Enable AWS CloudTrail in all regions.
Why this is correct
CloudTrail logs all API calls across regions.
Related concept
AWS CloudTrail
- ✓
Store CloudTrail logs in an S3 bucket with Object Lock enabled in Compliance mode.
Why this is correct
Compliance mode prevents any user from deleting objects.
Related concept
AWS CloudTrail
- ✗
Send CloudTrail logs to CloudWatch Logs with a retention policy.
Why it's wrong here
CloudWatch Logs retention policy only controls how long logs are kept; they can be deleted.
- ✗
Enable S3 versioning on the destination bucket.
Why it's wrong here
Versioning allows overwrites and does not prevent deletion of objects.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse log file validation (integrity checks) with immutability (prevention of deletion/modification), or assume that versioning alone provides sufficient protection against log tampering, when in fact only Object Lock in Compliance mode enforces true WORM immutability.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
CloudTrail logs are delivered to an S3 bucket as JSON files, and enabling Object Lock in Compliance mode applies a retention period that prevents any object version from being deleted or overwritten, even by the bucket owner or root user. Under the hood, Compliance mode uses a legal hold mechanism that cannot be removed by any user, ensuring the logs remain immutable for the specified duration. In a real-world scenario, this is critical for meeting regulatory requirements such as PCI DSS or SEC Rule 17a-4, where audit logs must be preserved in a non-rewritable, non-erasable format.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- AWS CloudTrail
- S3 Object Lock (Compliance mode)
- Immutable logs
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
AWS CloudTrail
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review aWS CloudTrail, then practise related SCS-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
- →
Security Logging and Monitoring — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Security Logging and Monitoring practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
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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 — AWS CloudTrail.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable AWS CloudTrail in all regions. — Option B is correct because enabling AWS CloudTrail in all regions ensures that all management events across every region are logged, which is essential for comprehensive security monitoring and compliance. However, note that data events (e.g., S3 object-level operations) require explicit configuration in the trail. Option C is correct because storing CloudTrail logs in an S3 bucket with Object Lock enabled in Compliance mode prevents any user, including the root user, from deleting or overwriting log files, ensuring immutability. Together, these steps satisfy the requirement that all API calls are logged and the logs are immutable.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review aWS CloudTrail, then practise related SCS-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
AWS CloudTrail
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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