The answer is AWS Config and AWS Security Hub. These two services work together to automate CIS benchmarks compliance checks by continuously evaluating resource configurations against the CIS AWS Foundations Benchmark and triggering automated remediation through AWS Systems Manager Automation. AWS Config uses managed rules to detect non-compliant resources, while Security Hub aggregates findings across accounts and provides a centralized dashboard for compliance status. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of which services are purpose-built for compliance automation rather than security monitoring or vulnerability scanning—a common trap is confusing GuardDuty or Inspector for compliance tools, but remember that GuardDuty focuses on threat detection and Inspector on vulnerability assessment, not policy-driven compliance. For a quick memory tip: think “Config checks, Security Hub centralizes, and Automation fixes”—the three pillars of CIS compliance automation.
SOA-C02 Security and Compliance Practice Question
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security and compliance. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 wants to ensure that its AWS resources are compliant with the CIS AWS Foundations Benchmark. Which TWO AWS services can be used to automate compliance checks and remediation?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
AWS Config
AWS Config rules can evaluate resource configurations against desired policies (e.g., CIS benchmarks) and trigger automatic remediation actions via Systems Manager Automation. AWS Security Hub provides a consolidated view of security findings across accounts and can also perform automated checks against standards like CIS. CloudTrail and GuardDuty are not specifically for compliance automation; Inspector is for vulnerability assessment, not compliance.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
AWS CloudTrail
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail logs API calls but does not perform compliance checks or remediation.
✗
Amazon Inspector
Why it's wrong here
Inspector is for vulnerability assessments, not for compliance with CIS benchmarks.
✓
AWS Config
Why this is correct
AWS Config allows you to create rules that evaluate resource configurations and can trigger remediation actions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
AWS Security Hub
Why this is correct
Security Hub can run automated compliance checks against standards like CIS and provide findings.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Amazon GuardDuty
Why it's wrong here
GuardDuty is a threat detection service, not a compliance automation tool.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which SOA-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.
Security and Compliance — This question tests Security and Compliance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: AWS Config — AWS Config rules can evaluate resource configurations against desired policies (e.g., CIS benchmarks) and trigger automatic remediation actions via Systems Manager Automation. AWS Security Hub provides a consolidated view of security findings across accounts and can also perform automated checks against standards like CIS. CloudTrail and GuardDuty are not specifically for compliance automation; Inspector is for vulnerability assessment, not compliance.
What should I do if I get this SOA-C02 question wrong?
Identify which SOA-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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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This SOA-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 SOA-C02 exam.
Question Discussion
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