- A
Use AWS Config to record EC2 instance configuration and check for security group changes.
Why wrong: AWS Config records configuration changes, not login attempts. It cannot provide failed SSH login details.
- B
Install the CloudWatch agent on the EC2 instance to collect /var/log/secure and stream to CloudWatch Logs.
Correct. The CloudWatch agent collects /var/log/secure which contains SSH authentication entries, allowing review of failed logins.
- C
Enable AWS CloudTrail and search for EC2-related events.
Why wrong: CloudTrail records API calls, not OS-level authentication events. It does not capture SSH login attempts.
- D
Enable VPC Flow Logs for the subnet and query the logs in CloudWatch Logs Insights for rejected traffic on port 22.
Why wrong: VPC Flow Logs capture metadata about IP traffic, including accepted or rejected packets. Failed SSH login attempts (authentication failures) occur after a successful TCP handshake and appear as accepted traffic, not rejected.
SCS-C02 CloudWatch Agent Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security logging and monitoring. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. A key principle to apply: cloudWatch Agent. 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 analyst needs to review all failed SSH login attempts to an EC2 instance. Which combination will provide this information?
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
Install the CloudWatch agent on the EC2 instance to collect /var/log/secure and stream to CloudWatch Logs.
Option B is correct because the CloudWatch agent installed on the EC2 instance can collect OS-level logs such as /var/log/secure (on Linux), which contains detailed records of SSH authentication attempts, including failed logins. By streaming these logs to CloudWatch Logs, the analyst can query and review all failed SSH login attempts at the application layer. Options A, C, and D capture network-level metadata but do not provide information about authentication failures after a successful TCP connection.
Key principle: CloudWatch Agent
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use AWS Config to record EC2 instance configuration and check for security group changes.
Why it's wrong here
AWS Config records configuration changes, not login attempts. It cannot provide failed SSH login details.
- ✓
Install the CloudWatch agent on the EC2 instance to collect /var/log/secure and stream to CloudWatch Logs.
Why this is correct
Correct. The CloudWatch agent collects /var/log/secure which contains SSH authentication entries, allowing review of failed logins.
Related concept
CloudWatch Agent
- ✗
Enable AWS CloudTrail and search for EC2-related events.
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail records API calls, not OS-level authentication events. It does not capture SSH login attempts.
- ✗
Enable VPC Flow Logs for the subnet and query the logs in CloudWatch Logs Insights for rejected traffic on port 22.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The key pitfall is interpreting 'failed SSH login attempts' as network-level rejections rather than OS-level authentication failures. VPC Flow Logs show only accepted or rejected network traffic, not login outcomes. The correct approach is to collect system authentication logs via the CloudWatch agent.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VPC Flow Logs capture packet-level metadata (source/destination IP, port, protocol, and action—ACCEPT or REJECT) but do not inspect packet payloads; a 'REJECT' action for port 22 indicates the packet was dropped by a security group or NACL, which corresponds to a failed SSH connection attempt at the network layer. In contrast, /var/log/secure logs authentication failures after a TCP connection is established, which is a different layer of the OSI model. This distinction is critical when the requirement is to review all failed attempts, including those blocked before reaching the OS.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CloudWatch Agent
- CloudWatch Logs
- SSH Authentication 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
CloudWatch Agent
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.
Visual reference
Quick reference
OSI Model Reference
| Layer | Name | PDU | Key Protocols / Devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Application | Data | HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, SMTP, FTP, SSH |
| 6 | Presentation | Data | TLS / SSL, JPEG, ASCII encoding |
| 5 | Session | Data | NetBIOS, RPC, SIP |
| 4 | Transport | Segment / Datagram | TCP, UDP |
| 3 | Network | Packet | IP, ICMP, OSPF — Routers |
| 2 | Data Link | Frame | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, PPP — Switches, Bridges |
| 1 | Physical | Bits | Cables, NICs, Hubs, Repeaters |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review cloudWatch Agent, then practise related SCS-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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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 — CloudWatch Agent.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Install the CloudWatch agent on the EC2 instance to collect /var/log/secure and stream to CloudWatch Logs. — Option B is correct because the CloudWatch agent installed on the EC2 instance can collect OS-level logs such as /var/log/secure (on Linux), which contains detailed records of SSH authentication attempts, including failed logins. By streaming these logs to CloudWatch Logs, the analyst can query and review all failed SSH login attempts at the application layer. Options A, C, and D capture network-level metadata but do not provide information about authentication failures after a successful TCP connection.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review cloudWatch Agent, then practise related SCS-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CloudWatch Agent
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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