- A
Use AWS Config with the managed rule 'ec2-instance-detailed-monitoring-enabled' and configure an automatic remediation action using AWS Systems Manager Automation to enable detailed monitoring on non-compliant instances.
This solution automatically detects and remediates non-compliant instances using native AWS Config features.
- B
Use AWS Trusted Advisor to check for instances without detailed monitoring and send a notification to the administrator via email.
Why wrong: Trusted Advisor provides checks and notifications but does not automatically remediate.
- C
Use an Amazon CloudWatch Events rule to detect RunInstances API calls and trigger a Lambda function that enables detailed monitoring on newly launched instances.
Why wrong: This approach can work but requires custom code and does not cover existing instances. AWS Config provides a managed service solution with less operational overhead.
- D
Use an IAM policy that denies the ec2:RunInstances action unless the user specifies the parameter to enable detailed monitoring.
Why wrong: IAM policies cannot enforce specific parameter values for detailed monitoring; there is no condition key for this purpose.
SOA-C02 Security and Compliance Practice Question
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.
An organization has a policy requiring that all Amazon EC2 instances launched in the production account must have detailed monitoring enabled for Amazon CloudWatch. A SysOps administrator needs to enforce this rule automatically. Which solution will ensure that any EC2 instance launched without detailed monitoring is automatically remediated?
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
Use AWS Config with the managed rule 'ec2-instance-detailed-monitoring-enabled' and configure an automatic remediation action using AWS Systems Manager Automation to enable detailed monitoring on non-compliant instances.
AWS Config with the managed rule 'ec2-instance-detailed-monitoring-enabled' continuously evaluates EC2 instances against the policy. When an instance is non-compliant (i.e., launched without detailed monitoring), the automatic remediation action uses an AWS Systems Manager Automation document to enable detailed monitoring on that instance, ensuring enforcement without manual intervention.
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.
- ✓
Use AWS Config with the managed rule 'ec2-instance-detailed-monitoring-enabled' and configure an automatic remediation action using AWS Systems Manager Automation to enable detailed monitoring on non-compliant instances.
Why this is correct
This solution automatically detects and remediates non-compliant instances using native AWS Config features.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use AWS Trusted Advisor to check for instances without detailed monitoring and send a notification to the administrator via email.
Why it's wrong here
Trusted Advisor provides checks and notifications but does not automatically remediate.
- ✗
Use an Amazon CloudWatch Events rule to detect RunInstances API calls and trigger a Lambda function that enables detailed monitoring on newly launched instances.
Why it's wrong here
This approach can work but requires custom code and does not cover existing instances. AWS Config provides a managed service solution with less operational overhead.
- ✗
Use an IAM policy that denies the ec2:RunInstances action unless the user specifies the parameter to enable detailed monitoring.
Why it's wrong here
IAM policies cannot enforce specific parameter values for detailed monitoring; there is no condition key for this purpose.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose Option C (CloudWatch Events + Lambda) because it seems reactive and automatic, but they overlook that CloudWatch Events may not reliably capture all RunInstances API calls (e.g., when instances are launched by Auto Scaling or other services) and that the Lambda function would need to handle race conditions and permissions, whereas AWS Config remediation is purpose-built for continuous compliance enforcement.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS Config remediation actions leverage Systems Manager Automation documents, which can run scripts or API calls to modify resources. The managed rule 'ec2-instance-detailed-monitoring-enabled' evaluates the 'Monitoring.State' attribute of EC2 instances; if it is 'disabled', the instance is non-compliant. The remediation action can invoke the 'AWS-EnableEC2DetailedMonitoring' Automation document, which calls the ec2:MonitorInstances API to enable detailed monitoring. This approach ensures that even instances launched via Auto Scaling groups or other orchestration tools are automatically corrected.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Security and Compliance — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SOA-C02 question test?
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: Use AWS Config with the managed rule 'ec2-instance-detailed-monitoring-enabled' and configure an automatic remediation action using AWS Systems Manager Automation to enable detailed monitoring on non-compliant instances. — AWS Config with the managed rule 'ec2-instance-detailed-monitoring-enabled' continuously evaluates EC2 instances against the policy. When an instance is non-compliant (i.e., launched without detailed monitoring), the automatic remediation action uses an AWS Systems Manager Automation document to enable detailed monitoring on that instance, ensuring enforcement without manual intervention.
What should I do if I get this SOA-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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