- A
The security group contains an inbound rule with a source of 0.0.0.0/0 for port 80, which is too permissive and triggers a service control policy (SCP) that denies launching instances with overly permissive rules.
SCPs can deny actions based on resource tags or conditions, but security group rules themselves do not cause launch failures. However, SCPs can deny RunInstances if the security group has rules that violate policy. The error indicates a permissions issue, likely due to an SCP that denies launching instances with 0.0.0.0/0 inbound rules.
- B
The security group allows inbound HTTPS from the entire RFC 1918 address space, but the instance is in a public subnet.
Why wrong: Inbound rules do not prevent launching; they affect traffic after launch.
- C
The security group allows outbound all traffic, which violates the principle of least privilege.
Why wrong: Outbound all traffic is common and does not cause launch failures.
- D
The instance type t2.micro is not available in the specified subnet's Availability Zone.
Why wrong: This would cause an 'InsufficientInstanceCapacity' or 'InvalidParameterValue' error, not 'UnauthorizedOperation'.
SCS-C02 Infrastructure Security Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of infrastructure security. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. A developer receives an 'UnauthorizedOperation' error when launching an EC2 instance with the specified security group. The developer has permissions to use ec2:RunInstances. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
The security group contains an inbound rule with a source of 0.0.0.0/0 for port 80, which is too permissive and triggers a service control policy (SCP) that denies launching instances with overly permissive rules.
The 'UnauthorizedOperation' error indicates an IAM or SCP permissions issue. Since the developer has ec2:RunInstances permissions, an SCP likely denies the action when the security group has a rule allowing 0.0.0.0/0. Option C is the most plausible given the exhibit.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The security group contains an inbound rule with a source of 0.0.0.0/0 for port 80, which is too permissive and triggers a service control policy (SCP) that denies launching instances with overly permissive rules.
Why this is correct
SCPs can deny actions based on resource tags or conditions, but security group rules themselves do not cause launch failures. However, SCPs can deny RunInstances if the security group has rules that violate policy. The error indicates a permissions issue, likely due to an SCP that denies launching instances with 0.0.0.0/0 inbound rules.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
The security group allows inbound HTTPS from the entire RFC 1918 address space, but the instance is in a public subnet.
Why it's wrong here
Inbound rules do not prevent launching; they affect traffic after launch.
- ✗
The security group allows outbound all traffic, which violates the principle of least privilege.
Why it's wrong here
Outbound all traffic is common and does not cause launch failures.
- ✗
The instance type t2.micro is not available in the specified subnet's Availability Zone.
Why it's wrong here
This would cause an 'InsufficientInstanceCapacity' or 'InvalidParameterValue' error, not 'UnauthorizedOperation'.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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 Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SCS-C02 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Infrastructure Security — This question tests Infrastructure Security — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The security group contains an inbound rule with a source of 0.0.0.0/0 for port 80, which is too permissive and triggers a service control policy (SCP) that denies launching instances with overly permissive rules. — The 'UnauthorizedOperation' error indicates an IAM or SCP permissions issue. Since the developer has ec2:RunInstances permissions, an SCP likely denies the action when the security group has a rule allowing 0.0.0.0/0. Option C is the most plausible given the exhibit.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SCS-C02 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 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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