- A
Add the Lambda function's execution role to the bucket's Access Control List (ACL).
Why wrong: ACLs are legacy and not recommended for permissions management.
- B
Ensure that the Lambda function's execution role has a trust policy that allows Security Hub to assume it.
Why wrong: Security Hub does not assume the Lambda role; it invokes the function.
- C
Check the S3 bucket policy for any explicit deny statements that might block the Lambda function's role.
An explicit deny in the bucket policy would prevent the role from modifying it.
- D
Verify that the S3 bucket's block public access settings are not preventing the policy update.
Why wrong: Block public access settings can be overridden by bucket policies, but the function may still be able to update the policy.
SCS-C02 Threat Detection and Incident Response Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of threat detection and incident response. 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 uses Amazon GuardDuty and AWS Security Hub. The security team has configured a custom insight in Security Hub to track findings related to S3 bucket exposures. They want to automatically remediate these findings by applying an S3 bucket policy that blocks public access. The team has created a Lambda function that applies the bucket policy and configured Security Hub to send findings to the Lambda function via a custom action. However, when a new finding is generated, the Lambda function is invoked but fails to apply the policy because it does not have permission to modify the S3 bucket. The Lambda function's execution role has permissions to modify S3 bucket policies, but the function is in the same account as the bucket. What should the team check?
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
Check the S3 bucket policy for any explicit deny statements that might block the Lambda function's role.
Option C is correct because even if the Lambda function has permissions, the S3 bucket policy may explicitly deny access to the Lambda function's role. Option A is incorrect because bucket ACLs are not used to grant permissions to Lambda functions; the Lambda function's execution role needs to be allowed by the bucket policy. Option B is incorrect because Security Hub does not need to assume the Lambda execution role; Security Hub sends events to Lambda via a custom action, and Lambda is invoked directly—no trust policy for Security Hub is required. Option D is incorrect because S3 block public access settings control whether bucket policies that grant public access can be applied, but they do not prevent the Lambda function from modifying the bucket policy; the issue is likely an explicit deny in the bucket policy.
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.
- ✗
Add the Lambda function's execution role to the bucket's Access Control List (ACL).
Why it's wrong here
ACLs are legacy and not recommended for permissions management.
- ✗
Ensure that the Lambda function's execution role has a trust policy that allows Security Hub to assume it.
Why it's wrong here
Security Hub does not assume the Lambda role; it invokes the function.
- ✓
Check the S3 bucket policy for any explicit deny statements that might block the Lambda function's role.
Why this is correct
An explicit deny in the bucket policy would prevent the role from modifying it.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Verify that the S3 bucket's block public access settings are not preventing the policy update.
Why it's wrong here
Block public access settings can be overridden by bucket policies, but the function may still be able to update the policy.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Threat Detection and Incident Response — This question tests Threat Detection and Incident Response — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Check the S3 bucket policy for any explicit deny statements that might block the Lambda function's role. — Option C is correct because even if the Lambda function has permissions, the S3 bucket policy may explicitly deny access to the Lambda function's role. Option A is incorrect because bucket ACLs are not used to grant permissions to Lambda functions; the Lambda function's execution role needs to be allowed by the bucket policy. Option B is incorrect because Security Hub does not need to assume the Lambda execution role; Security Hub sends events to Lambda via a custom action, and Lambda is invoked directly—no trust policy for Security Hub is required. Option D is incorrect because S3 block public access settings control whether bucket policies that grant public access can be applied, but they do not prevent the Lambda function from modifying the bucket policy; the issue is likely an explicit deny in the bucket policy.
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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