This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security and compliance. 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 Organizations to manage multiple accounts. The security team wants to restrict all accounts from using specific AWS services unless explicitly allowed. Which feature should be used?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Service control policies (SCPs)
Service control policies (SCPs) are used in AWS Organizations to define the maximum permissions for accounts in the organization. SCPs can deny or allow services at the organization, OU, or account level. IAM policies are for individual users/roles, not for account-wide restrictions. Resource-based policies are for specific resources. AWS Config rules evaluate compliance but do not restrict usage.
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.
✓
Service control policies (SCPs)
Why this is correct
SCPs allow you to centrally control the maximum available permissions for all accounts in your organization.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Resource-based policies
Why it's wrong here
Resource-based policies are attached to individual resources like S3 buckets or SQS queues, not to accounts.
✗
IAM permissions boundaries
Why it's wrong here
Permissions boundaries apply to IAM entities, not to entire accounts; they cannot restrict services at the account level.
✗
AWS Config rules
Why it's wrong here
AWS Config rules are used for compliance evaluation and remediation, not for restricting service usage.
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 SOA-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Security and Compliance — This question tests Security and Compliance — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Service control policies (SCPs) — Service control policies (SCPs) are used in AWS Organizations to define the maximum permissions for accounts in the organization. SCPs can deny or allow services at the organization, OU, or account level. IAM policies are for individual users/roles, not for account-wide restrictions. Resource-based policies are for specific resources. AWS Config rules evaluate compliance but do not restrict usage.
What should I do if I get this SOA-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 SOA-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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