Quick Answer
The answer is to delete the access keys. This is the correct first step because exposed keys grant programmatic access to AWS resources via the CLI, SDK, or APIs, and leaving them active allows an attacker to continue using the compromised credentials regardless of password changes. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish between immediate containment actions and post-incident investigation steps; a common trap is selecting “change the password” or “review CloudTrail logs” as remediation, but passwords do not affect key-based access and logs are for forensic analysis, not stopping active abuse. The exam expects you to prioritize deactivating the keys, removing the user from groups to strip permissions, and then rotating keys only if the user still needs access. Remember the mnemonic “Kick, Strip, Rotate” — first kick the keys, then strip group memberships, then rotate if needed.
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.
Which THREE steps should a security engineer take to remediate a compromised IAM user whose access keys were exposed? (Choose three.)
Deactivate the access keys.
Deactivating keys stops their use immediately.
Create a new IAM user with the same permissions.
Why wrong: Not necessary; the existing user can be cleaned.
Remove the user from all IAM groups.
Removing from groups reduces permissions.
Change the IAM user's password.
Why wrong: Password change does not affect access keys.
Delete the access keys.
Deleting keys permanently removes them.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Deactivate the access keys.
Immediately deactivate or delete the access keys to stop usage. Rotate the keys if the user still needs access, but the old keys must be deactivated. Remove the compromised user from any groups to limit permissions. Changing the password does not affect access keys. Creating a new user with the same permissions is unnecessary if the user can be cleaned. Reviewing CloudTrail logs is important but is an investigation step, not immediate remediation.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Deactivate the access keys.
Why this is correct
Deactivating keys stops their use immediately.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Create a new IAM user with the same permissions.
Why it's wrong here
Not necessary; the existing user can be cleaned.
Remove the user from all IAM groups.
Why this is correct
Removing from groups reduces permissions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Change the IAM user's password.
Why it's wrong here
Password change does not affect access keys.
Delete the access keys.
Why this is correct
Deleting keys permanently removes them.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which SCS-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Management and Security Governance — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Management and Security Governance practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All SCS-C02 questions
1,738 questions across all exam domains
AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
SCS-C02 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to Threat Detection and Incident Response.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to Security Logging and Monitoring.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to Identity and Access Management.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to Management and Security Governance.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to Infrastructure Security.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to Data Protection.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to SCS-C02 fundamentals.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to SCS-C02 scenario.
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to SCS-C02 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Management and Security Governance — This question tests Management and Security Governance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Deactivate the access keys. — Immediately deactivate or delete the access keys to stop usage. Rotate the keys if the user still needs access, but the old keys must be deactivated. Remove the compromised user from any groups to limit permissions. Changing the password does not affect access keys. Creating a new user with the same permissions is unnecessary if the user can be cleaned. Reviewing CloudTrail logs is important but is an investigation step, not immediate remediation.
Identify which SCS-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.