- A
The IAM policy does not include the ec2:RunInstances permission.
Why wrong: The developer's IAM policy allows it.
- B
The IAM policy is applied before the SCP.
Why wrong: Order does not matter; both are evaluated, and the deny wins.
- C
The SCP denies the action, overriding the IAM policy.
SCPs act as a filter; if denied, the action is blocked.
- D
The SCP is applied only to the root user.
Why wrong: SCPs apply to all users in the account.
Question 802 of 1,748
Service Control Policies Override IAM Permissions — AWS Security Specialty
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of management and security governance. 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.
A company is using AWS Organizations with SCPs. The management account has an SCP that denies access to all EC2 actions. A developer in a member account tries to launch an EC2 instance but receives an authorization error. The developer has an IAM policy that allows ec2:RunInstances. What is the most likely cause of the error?
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 SCP denies the action, overriding the IAM policy.
Option C is correct because SCPs act as a permission boundary; if an SCP denies an action, it cannot be performed even if an IAM policy allows it. Option A is wrong because the developer does have the ec2:RunInstances permission in their IAM policy; the error occurs due to the SCP. Option B is wrong because the order of evaluation is not relevant; SCPs and IAM policies are evaluated together, and SCPs can deny actions regardless of IAM permissions. Option D is wrong because SCPs apply to all principals in the account, not just the root user.
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 IAM policy does not include the ec2:RunInstances permission.
Why it's wrong here
The developer's IAM policy allows it.
- ✗
The IAM policy is applied before the SCP.
Why it's wrong here
Order does not matter; both are evaluated, and the deny wins.
- ✓
The SCP denies the action, overriding the IAM policy.
Why this is correct
SCPs act as a filter; if denied, the action is blocked.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
The SCP is applied only to the root user.
Why it's wrong here
SCPs apply to all users in the account.
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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Management and Security Governance — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Management and Security Governance — This question tests Management and Security Governance — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The SCP denies the action, overriding the IAM policy. — Option C is correct because SCPs act as a permission boundary; if an SCP denies an action, it cannot be performed even if an IAM policy allows it. Option A is wrong because the developer does have the ec2:RunInstances permission in their IAM policy; the error occurs due to the SCP. Option B is wrong because the order of evaluation is not relevant; SCPs and IAM policies are evaluated together, and SCPs can deny actions regardless of IAM permissions. Option D is wrong because SCPs apply to all principals in the account, not just the root user.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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