The correct combination is to enable CloudTrail logging for Session Manager activity and create IAM policies that allow the ssm:StartSession action only for specific users or roles. This works because CloudTrail captures all API calls made through Session Manager, including StartSession, providing a complete audit trail of who initiated a session and when, while IAM policies with resource-based conditions enforce granular access control. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding that Session Manager operates entirely through the AWS API layer, not through traditional SSH keys or bastion hosts, so logging and authorization must be handled via CloudTrail and IAM rather than instance-level configurations. A common trap is assuming Session Manager requires SSH key management or security group rules, but the service is designed to eliminate those requirements entirely. Memory tip: think "API-only access" — since Session Manager uses the AWS API, you control it with IAM policies and audit it with CloudTrail, just like any other API-driven service.
SCS-C02 Infrastructure Security Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of infrastructure security. 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 uses AWS Systems Manager Session Manager to provide SSH access to EC2 instances without needing to open inbound ports. The security team wants to ensure that all session activity is logged and that only authorized users can start sessions. Which combination of actions should be taken? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable AWS CloudTrail to log StartSession API calls.
Option A and D are correct. Enabling CloudTrail logging captures API calls like StartSession. Using IAM policies with conditions to allow specific users is the standard way to control access. Option B is not needed because Session Manager doesn't require SSH keys. Option C is not the primary method; IAM policies are used. Option E is unrelated.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Configure the EC2 instances to require SSH key pairs for authentication.
Why it's wrong here
Session Manager does not use SSH keys; it uses IAM authentication.
✓
Enable AWS CloudTrail to log StartSession API calls.
Why this is correct
CloudTrail logs all API calls, including Session Manager starts.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Enable VPC Flow Logs to monitor network traffic.
Why it's wrong here
VPC Flow Logs are for network traffic, not session logging.
✓
Create IAM policies that allow the ssm:StartSession action only for specific users or roles.
Why this is correct
IAM policies control who can start sessions.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Use security groups to restrict inbound traffic to the Session Manager endpoints.
Why it's wrong here
Session Manager uses VPC endpoints, not security groups, for access control.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SCS-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Infrastructure Security — This question tests Infrastructure Security — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable AWS CloudTrail to log StartSession API calls. — Option A and D are correct. Enabling CloudTrail logging captures API calls like StartSession. Using IAM policies with conditions to allow specific users is the standard way to control access. Option B is not needed because Session Manager doesn't require SSH keys. Option C is not the primary method; IAM policies are used. Option E is unrelated.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SCS-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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