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.
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. 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 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?
VPC Flow Logs
Why wrong: VPC Flow Logs capture network traffic, not API calls.
Amazon GuardDuty
Why wrong: GuardDuty is a threat detection service, not a logging service.
AWS Config
Why wrong: AWS Config records resource configuration changes, not API calls.
AWS CloudTrail
AWS CloudTrail logs all API calls and can deliver logs to S3.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AWS CloudTrail
Option C is correct because AWS CloudTrail logs all API calls and can be configured to deliver logs to an S3 bucket for durable, cost-effective storage. Option A is wrong because AWS Config records resource configuration changes, not API calls. Option B is wrong because VPC Flow Logs capture network traffic, not API calls. Option D is wrong because Amazon GuardDuty is a threat detection service, not a logging service.
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.
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.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
What to study next
Identify which SCS-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Security Logging and Monitoring — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Security Logging and Monitoring — This question tests Security Logging and Monitoring — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: AWS CloudTrail — Option C is correct because AWS CloudTrail logs all API calls and can be configured to deliver logs to an S3 bucket for durable, cost-effective storage. Option A is wrong because AWS Config records resource configuration changes, not API calls. Option B is wrong because VPC Flow Logs capture network traffic, not API calls. Option D is wrong because Amazon GuardDuty is a threat detection service, not a logging service.
Identify which SCS-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
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?
mediumWhy D: Option C is correct because AWS CloudTrail logs API activity and can be configured to store logs in S3 with lifecycle policies for long-term retention. Option A is wrong because Amazon GuardDuty is a threat detection service, not for API logging. Option B is wrong because AWS Config records resource configuration changes, not API calls. Option D is wrong because Amazon Inspector is for vulnerability assessments.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 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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