Why Your Lambda Function Isn't Writing to CloudWatch Logs: IAM Permissions
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.
Network Topology
Refer to the exhibit. After invoking the Lambda function, why are there no log streams in the log group?
Network Topology
A
The CloudWatch Logs log group retention policy is set to 0 days.
Why wrong: Retention policy affects log expiration, not creation of log streams.
B
The Lambda function is not configured with a CloudWatch Logs log group.
Why wrong: The log group exists, as shown in the describe-log-groups output.
C
The Lambda function timed out before writing logs.
Why wrong: Timeout would not result in missing log streams; logs are written during execution.
D
The Lambda function's execution role lacks permissions to write to CloudWatch Logs.
The log group exists but no log streams were created, indicating a permissions issue.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The Lambda function's execution role lacks permissions to write to CloudWatch Logs.
The Lambda function was invoked but no logs were generated. This can happen if the Lambda function does not have the required permissions to create log streams in CloudWatch Logs. The function's execution role must include the 'logs:CreateLogStream' and 'logs:PutLogEvents' actions.
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.
✗
The CloudWatch Logs log group retention policy is set to 0 days.
Why it's wrong here
Retention policy affects log expiration, not creation of log streams.
✗
The Lambda function is not configured with a CloudWatch Logs log group.
Why it's wrong here
The log group exists, as shown in the describe-log-groups output.
✗
The Lambda function timed out before writing logs.
Why it's wrong here
Timeout would not result in missing log streams; logs are written during execution.
✓
The Lambda function's execution role lacks permissions to write to CloudWatch Logs.
Why this is correct
The log group exists but no log streams were created, indicating a permissions issue.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The log group exists, as shown in the describe-log-groups output.
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.
Quick reference
Cloud Service Model Comparison
Model
You Manage
Provider Manages
Examples
IaaS
OS, runtime, apps, data
Hardware, hypervisor, networking
EC2, Azure VMs, GCP Compute Engine
PaaS
Apps and data
OS, runtime, middleware, hardware
Elastic Beanstalk, Azure App Service
SaaS
Data and settings only
Everything else
Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Workday
FaaS / Serverless
Function code only
Infra, scaling, runtime
Lambda, Azure Functions, Cloud Run
CaaS
Containers and apps
Kubernetes, OS, hardware
EKS, AKS, GKE
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 — 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: The Lambda function's execution role lacks permissions to write to CloudWatch Logs. — The Lambda function was invoked but no logs were generated. This can happen if the Lambda function does not have the required permissions to create log streams in CloudWatch Logs. The function's execution role must include the 'logs:CreateLogStream' and 'logs:PutLogEvents' actions.
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.
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Question Discussion
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