Question 123 of 1,738
Identity and Access ManagementeasyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

SCS-C02 Identity and Access Management Practice Question

This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of identity and access management. 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.

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit. IAM policy:
{
  "Version": "2012-10-17",
  "Statement": [
    {
      "Effect": "Allow",
      "Action": "iam:CreateUser",
      "Resource": "*"
    },
    {
      "Effect": "Deny",
      "Action": "iam:*",
      "Resource": "*",
      "Condition": {
        "StringEquals": {
          "aws:RequestedRegion": "us-east-1"
        }
      }
    }
  ]
}

Refer to the exhibit. An IAM user has this policy attached. Can the user create a new IAM user in the us-east-1 region?

Question 1easymultiple choice
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Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit. IAM policy:
{
  "Version": "2012-10-17",
  "Statement": [
    {
      "Effect": "Allow",
      "Action": "iam:CreateUser",
      "Resource": "*"
    },
    {
      "Effect": "Deny",
      "Action": "iam:*",
      "Resource": "*",
      "Condition": {
        "StringEquals": {
          "aws:RequestedRegion": "us-east-1"
        }
      }
    }
  ]
}

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

No, because the Deny statement blocks all IAM actions in us-east-1.

Option C is correct. The Deny statement applies to all IAM actions in us-east-1, which overrides the Allow for CreateUser. Since the Deny is explicit, it blocks the action even though there is an Allow. The request fails.

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.

  • Yes, because the Allow statement explicitly permits CreateUser.

    Why it's wrong here

    The Deny overrides the Allow.

  • No, because IAM is a global service and region conditions do not apply.

    Why it's wrong here

    IAM is global, but condition keys can still be evaluated; however, the Deny will block the request if the condition matches.

  • Yes, because the Deny only applies to us-east-1.

    Why it's wrong here

    The Deny applies to us-east-1, which is the region in question.

  • No, because the Deny statement blocks all IAM actions in us-east-1.

    Why this is correct

    The Deny is explicit and overrides the Allow.

    Related concept

    Standard ACLs match source addresses.

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.

Related practice questions

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this SCS-C02 question test?

Identity and Access Management — This question tests Identity and Access Management — Standard ACLs match source addresses..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: No, because the Deny statement blocks all IAM actions in us-east-1. — Option C is correct. The Deny statement applies to all IAM actions in us-east-1, which overrides the Allow for CreateUser. Since the Deny is explicit, it blocks the action even though there is an Allow. The request fails.

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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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026

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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.