The answer is to attach a service control policy (SCP) that denies the action at the root organization level. This works because SCPs act as a centralized permission guardrail across all accounts in AWS Organizations, allowing you to explicitly deny specific API calls like config:StopConfigurationRecorder or config:DeleteConfigurationRecorder, which effectively prevents disabling AWS Config regardless of any IAM permissions within the child accounts. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding that SCPs are the only mechanism capable of overriding full administrative access, including the root user, making them the correct choice for enforcing mandatory security services. A common trap is confusing IAM roles or CloudTrail with preventive controls—remember, IAM cannot restrict the root user, and CloudTrail only detects, not blocks. Memory tip: SCP stands for “Service Control Policy,” but think of it as “Supreme Control Policy” because it sits above all other permissions in the organization hierarchy.
SCS-C02 Management and Security Governance Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of management and security governance. 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 company uses AWS Organizations with multiple accounts. The security team needs to ensure that no account can disable a specific security service, such as AWS Config, across all accounts. Which approach should be used?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Attach a service control policy (SCP) that denies the action at the root organization level
A service control policy (SCP) can deny actions across all accounts in an organization. Option B is correct because an SCP with a Deny effect on config:StopConfigurationRecorder prevents disabling. Option A is wrong because IAM roles do not apply to the root user. Option C is wrong because CloudTrail logs actions but does not prevent them. Option D is wrong because Config rules do not prevent disabling.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Create an IAM role with a deny policy for the action and attach it to all users
Why it's wrong here
IAM roles do not apply to the root user and can be bypassed.
✗
Create an AWS Config rule to check for the action and automatically remediate
Why it's wrong here
Remediation may have a delay and does not prevent the action initially.
✓
Attach a service control policy (SCP) that denies the action at the root organization level
Why this is correct
SCPs can deny actions across all accounts, including root users.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Enable AWS CloudTrail and create a metric filter to alert on the action
Why it's wrong here
Alerting does not prevent the action.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SCS-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Management and Security Governance — This question tests Management and Security Governance — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Attach a service control policy (SCP) that denies the action at the root organization level — A service control policy (SCP) can deny actions across all accounts in an organization. Option B is correct because an SCP with a Deny effect on config:StopConfigurationRecorder prevents disabling. Option A is wrong because IAM roles do not apply to the root user. Option C is wrong because CloudTrail logs actions but does not prevent them. Option D is wrong because Config rules do not prevent disabling.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SCS-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Question Discussion
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