- A
Enable AWS Config rules to monitor CloudTrail configuration changes and cross-reference the event time with an approved change window.
Cross-referencing with an approved change window helps determine if the deletion was planned and authorized, addressing the authorization aspect directly.
- B
Check the source IP address 203.0.113.50 against a list of approved corporate IP ranges.
Why wrong: While this could help, it does not conclusively determine if the deletion was unauthorized because the IP could be spoofed or the user could be using a VPN.
- C
Review the IAM user 'admin' permissions to see if they have the cloudtrail:DeleteTrail permission.
Why wrong: Even if the user has the permission, the deletion might still be unauthorized if it was performed outside of normal procedures.
- D
Use CloudTrail Insights to detect unusual API activity for the DeleteTrail event.
Why wrong: CloudTrail Insights helps identify unusual activity, but it does not directly determine authorization.
SCS-C02 Security Logging and Monitoring Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security logging and monitoring. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. A security engineer investigates a potential unauthorized deletion of an AWS CloudTrail trail. The engineer runs the command and receives the output shown. Which additional step should the engineer take to determine if the trail deletion was unauthorized?
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
Enable AWS Config rules to monitor CloudTrail configuration changes and cross-reference the event time with an approved change window.
The engineer needs to determine if the deletion was unauthorized. Checking the source IP or permissions may not be sufficient. The best approach is to verify if the deletion occurred within an approved change window, which can be tracked via AWS Config or change management processes.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Enable AWS Config rules to monitor CloudTrail configuration changes and cross-reference the event time with an approved change window.
Why this is correct
Cross-referencing with an approved change window helps determine if the deletion was planned and authorized, addressing the authorization aspect directly.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Check the source IP address 203.0.113.50 against a list of approved corporate IP ranges.
Why it's wrong here
While this could help, it does not conclusively determine if the deletion was unauthorized because the IP could be spoofed or the user could be using a VPN.
- ✗
Review the IAM user 'admin' permissions to see if they have the cloudtrail:DeleteTrail permission.
Why it's wrong here
Even if the user has the permission, the deletion might still be unauthorized if it was performed outside of normal procedures.
- ✗
Use CloudTrail Insights to detect unusual API activity for the DeleteTrail event.
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail Insights helps identify unusual activity, but it does not directly determine authorization.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
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
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Security Logging and Monitoring — This question tests Security Logging and Monitoring — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable AWS Config rules to monitor CloudTrail configuration changes and cross-reference the event time with an approved change window. — The engineer needs to determine if the deletion was unauthorized. Checking the source IP or permissions may not be sufficient. The best approach is to verify if the deletion occurred within an approved change window, which can be tracked via AWS Config or change management processes.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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