Question 1,238 of 715
Logging All AWS API Calls for Forensic Analysis
A security engineer needs to capture all API calls made to AWS services for forensic analysis. Which AWS service should be used to store these logs durably and cost-effectively for long-term retention?
Quick Answer
The answer is AWS CloudTrail, which is the correct service for logging all API calls with CloudTrail to support forensic analysis. CloudTrail captures every API action taken on your AWS account, including calls made via the AWS Management Console, SDKs, CLI, and other services, and it can be configured to deliver these logs to an Amazon S3 bucket for durable, cost-effective long-term retention. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between logging services and security tools—a common trap is confusing CloudTrail with AWS Config, which records resource configuration changes rather than API calls, or VPC Flow Logs, which capture network traffic. To remember: CloudTrail tracks the “who, what, when, and where” of every API call, making it the forensic historian of your AWS environment. Memory tip: think “Trail of breadcrumbs” for API call tracking.
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse AWS Config (which tracks resource configuration changes) with CloudTrail (which tracks API calls), leading them to select Config when the question explicitly asks for capturing API calls.
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
✓
AWS CloudTrail
AWS CloudTrail is the correct service because it captures all API calls made to AWS services, including the identity of the caller, time of the call, source IP address, and request parameters. It stores these logs durably in Amazon S3, which provides cost-effective long-term retention for forensic analysis. CloudTrail is specifically designed for auditing and monitoring API activity across an AWS environment.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
VPC Flow Logs
Why it's wrong here
VPC Flow Logs capture network traffic, not API calls.
- ✗
Amazon GuardDuty
Why it's wrong here
GuardDuty is a threat detection service, not a logging service.
- ✗
AWS Config
Why it's wrong here
AWS Config records resource configuration changes, not API calls.
- ✓
AWS CloudTrail
Why this is correct
AWS CloudTrail logs all API calls and can deliver logs to S3.
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 |
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on SCS-C02
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 security engineer needs to ensure that all API calls made to AWS are logged and retained for at least 7 years for compliance. Which AWS service should be enabled to meet this requirement?
medium- A.Amazon GuardDuty
- B.AWS Config
- C.Amazon Inspector
- ✓ D.AWS CloudTrail
Why D: AWS CloudTrail is the correct service because it records all API calls made to AWS, including the identity of the caller, the time of the call, the source IP address, and the request parameters. CloudTrail logs can be stored in an S3 bucket with lifecycle policies to retain logs for exactly 7 years, meeting the compliance requirement for long-term retention.
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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