Quick Answer
The answer is a `DeleteTrail` API call, as this is the most direct indicator of CloudTrail log deletion. When an attacker removes a trail, all log delivery to Amazon S3 ceases, and the trail configuration is permanently destroyed, making it impossible to audit past or future actions. This finding is critical because CloudTrail itself logs all API calls, so a `DeleteTrail` event recorded in a separate, secure trail or in the same trail before deletion provides undeniable evidence of tampering. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this concept tests your understanding of CloudTrail’s immutable logging behavior and the importance of protecting the trail’s own logs with S3 bucket policies or a separate audit trail. A common trap is confusing `DeleteTrail` with `StopLogging`—while both disrupt logging, only deletion removes the trail entirely. Memory tip: think “delete destroys, stop suspends” to distinguish the severity of each action.
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of threat detection and incident response. 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.
An organization uses AWS CloudTrail with a multi-region trail. The security team suspects that an attacker has deleted logs. Which THREE findings would indicate that log deletion occurred? (Choose THREE.)
An S3 bucket with MFA Delete enabled.
Why wrong: MFA Delete is a security feature, not an indicator of deletion.
A `StopLogging` API call from an unknown IP address.
Suspicious if unauthorized.
A gap in CloudTrail logs for a period of time.
Indicates logging was stopped or logs deleted.
Multiple `StartLogging` API calls in the logs.
Why wrong: Normal after a stop.
A `DeleteTrail` API call.
Trail deletion removes logs.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
A `StopLogging` API call from an unknown IP address.
Option B is correct because a `StopLogging` API call from an unknown IP address indicates that logging was deliberately disabled, which an attacker could do to cover their tracks. CloudTrail records all `StopLogging` events, and an unexpected source IP is a strong indicator of unauthorized activity. This directly suggests log deletion or suppression, as stopping the trail prevents further log delivery.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
An S3 bucket with MFA Delete enabled.
Why it's wrong here
MFA Delete is a security feature, not an indicator of deletion.
A `StopLogging` API call from an unknown IP address.
Why this is correct
Suspicious if unauthorized.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
A gap in CloudTrail logs for a period of time.
Why this is correct
Indicates logging was stopped or logs deleted.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Multiple `StartLogging` API calls in the logs.
Why it's wrong here
Normal after a stop.
A `DeleteTrail` API call.
Why this is correct
Trail deletion removes logs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse a security control (MFA Delete) with an indicator of compromise, or think that `StartLogging` calls imply deletion, when in fact they are normal operational events that do not directly signal log tampering.
Detailed technical explanation
CloudTrail trails can be stopped via the `StopLogging` API, which immediately halts log delivery to the S3 bucket; the event itself is recorded in the CloudTrail logs (if the trail is still delivering) or in a separate management event log. An attacker might stop logging, delete logs from the S3 bucket, and then restart logging to hide the gap, but the `StopLogging` and `DeleteTrail` events remain in the account's CloudTrail event history. A gap in logs (Option C) is a direct symptom of deletion or stopping, as CloudTrail delivers logs in near real-time and any missing interval suggests tampering.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
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FAQ
Threat Detection and Incident Response — This question tests Threat Detection and Incident Response — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: A `StopLogging` API call from an unknown IP address. — Option B is correct because a `StopLogging` API call from an unknown IP address indicates that logging was deliberately disabled, which an attacker could do to cover their tracks. CloudTrail records all `StopLogging` events, and an unexpected source IP is a strong indicator of unauthorized activity. This directly suggests log deletion or suppression, as stopping the trail prevents further log delivery.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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