Quick Answer
The answer is a Service Control Policy (SCP) because it is the only AWS policy type that can centrally prevent IAM user access key creation across all accounts in an AWS Organization. SCPs are applied at the root, OU, or account level to define maximum permissions, effectively blocking the IAM:CreateAccessKey action for all users in every member account without needing to touch individual account policies. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of centralized governance versus account-level controls—a common trap is confusing SCPs with IAM policies, which are account-specific and cannot enforce across accounts. Another trap is choosing AWS Config, which detects noncompliant keys but cannot prevent their creation, or CloudTrail, which only logs events. Remember the memory tip: SCPs are the “guardrails” of an organization—they set the hard boundary for what’s allowed, while IAM policies are the “lanes” within that boundary.
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of management and security governance. 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.
A company is using AWS Organizations to manage multiple accounts. The security team wants to prevent any IAM user from creating access keys. Which type of policy should be used to enforce this control across all accounts?
Service Control Policy (SCP)
SCPs can deny actions across all accounts in an organization.
AWS CloudTrail trail
Why wrong: CloudTrail is for logging API calls, not for preventing actions.
AWS Config managed rule
Why wrong: Config rules are detective, not preventive.
IAM permissions boundary
Why wrong: Permissions boundaries are account-specific and must be attached to each user, not centrally enforced.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Service Control Policy (SCP)
Option C is correct because a Service Control Policy (SCP) can be applied to the organization root or OUs to deny actions across all accounts. Option A is wrong because IAM policies are account-specific and not centrally managed. Option B is wrong because AWS Config rules can detect but not prevent. Option D is wrong because CloudTrail is for logging, not enforcement.
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
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Service Control Policy (SCP)
Why this is correct
SCPs can deny actions across all accounts in an organization.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
AWS CloudTrail trail
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail is for logging API calls, not for preventing actions.
AWS Config managed rule
Why it's wrong here
Config rules are detective, not preventive.
IAM permissions boundary
Why it's wrong here
Permissions boundaries are account-specific and must be attached to each user, not centrally enforced.
Common exam traps
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
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
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
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 — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Management and Security Governance — This question tests Management and Security Governance — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
The correct answer is: Service Control Policy (SCP) — Option C is correct because a Service Control Policy (SCP) can be applied to the organization root or OUs to deny actions across all accounts. Option A is wrong because IAM policies are account-specific and not centrally managed. Option B is wrong because AWS Config rules can detect but not prevent. Option D is wrong because CloudTrail is for logging, not enforcement.
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.
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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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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