The answer is to apply an SCP that denies the IAM:CreateAccessKey action at the root or OU level of your AWS Organization. This is correct because a service control policy acts as a centralized permission guardrail, effectively preventing any IAM user across hundreds of accounts from creating access keys, regardless of their individual IAM permissions. For the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of SCPs as a scalable, preventive control for multi-account security, often appearing as a trap where you must distinguish between detective tools like IAM Access Analyzer and preventive policies. A common mistake is choosing a per-account solution, which fails the scalability requirement. Memory tip: think of SCPs as the "master deny switch" for entire organizations—if you want to block an action everywhere, always look for the SCP option first.
SCS-C02 Management and Security Governance Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of management and security governance. 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.
A company has a multi-account AWS Organization with hundreds of accounts. The security team wants to prevent any IAM user from creating access keys in any account. What is the most scalable and secure approach?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Apply an SCP that denies the IAM:CreateAccessKey action to all accounts in the organization.
Option A is correct: a service control policy (SCP) at the root or OU level can deny the IAM:CreateAccessKey action, which applies to all accounts in the organization. Option B is wrong because it does not prevent users in other accounts from creating keys. Option C is wrong because IAM Access Analyzer does not block actions. Option D is wrong because it requires manual updates and is not scalable.
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.
✗
Use IAM Access Analyzer to generate findings when access keys are created.
Why it's wrong here
Access Analyzer only generates findings, it does not prevent creation.
✗
Configure IAM password policies in each account to disallow access keys.
Why it's wrong here
Password policies do not control access key creation.
✓
Apply an SCP that denies the IAM:CreateAccessKey action to all accounts in the organization.
Why this is correct
SCPs centrally enforce permissions across all accounts.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Create an AWS Config rule in each account to automatically delete access keys.
Why it's wrong here
This is reactive and not scalable.
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.
Management and Security Governance — This question tests Management and Security Governance — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Apply an SCP that denies the IAM:CreateAccessKey action to all accounts in the organization. — Option A is correct: a service control policy (SCP) at the root or OU level can deny the IAM:CreateAccessKey action, which applies to all accounts in the organization. Option B is wrong because it does not prevent users in other accounts from creating keys. Option C is wrong because IAM Access Analyzer does not block actions. Option D is wrong because it requires manual updates and is not scalable.
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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Question Discussion
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