The correct change is to add a statement allowing `logs:PutLogEvents` on the specific log stream ARN within the target log group. This permission is required because, while `logs:CreateLogStream` lets the instance create a new log stream and `logs:DescribeLogGroups` allows listing groups, the actual act of sending log data to CloudWatch requires the `PutLogEvents` action on the log stream resource itself. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of IAM policy resource-level permissions for CloudWatch Logs, a common trap where candidates assume broader actions like `logs:*` or only `CreateLogStream` are sufficient. The exam often presents a policy that grants log group-level permissions but omits the stream-level `PutLogEvents` action, causing silent failures. A useful memory tip: think of it as needing the "write" key—CreateLogStream opens the drawer, but PutLogEvents is the hand that actually puts the logs inside.
SOA-C02 Monitoring, Logging, and Remediation Practice Question
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of monitoring, logging, and remediation. 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.
An IAM policy is attached to an EC2 instance role to allow sending logs to CloudWatch Logs. The application running on the instance fails to send logs to the log group 'MyAppLogGroup'. Which change is required to fix the issue?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add a new statement allowing logs:PutLogEvents on 'arn:aws:logs:us-east-1:123456789012:log-group:MyAppLogGroup:log-stream:*'.
The IAM policy attached to the EC2 instance role is missing the `logs:PutLogEvents` permission for the specific log stream within the log group. Even if the policy allows `logs:CreateLogStream` and `logs:DescribeLogGroups`, the application cannot send log events without `logs:PutLogEvents` on the log stream resource. Option C adds the required statement with the correct ARN pattern to resolve the failure.
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.
✗
Install the CloudWatch agent on the instance.
Why it's wrong here
The application may be using the SDK; the issue is permissions, not agent installation.
✗
Attach the policy to the EC2 instance instead of the instance role.
Why it's wrong here
Instance roles are the correct way to assign permissions.
✓
Add a new statement allowing logs:PutLogEvents on 'arn:aws:logs:us-east-1:123456789012:log-group:MyAppLogGroup:log-stream:*'.
Why this is correct
PutLogEvents requires permissions on the log stream resource, not just the log group.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Change the log group ARN in the policy to include the log stream name.
Why it's wrong here
The log group ARN with a wildcard is correct, but the action needs log stream permissions.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume the CloudWatch agent is required for any log delivery, or that attaching a policy directly to the instance is possible, when the real issue is a missing `PutLogEvents` permission on the log stream resource.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `PutLogEvents` API requires both `logs:PutLogEvents` on the log stream resource and `logs:CreateLogStream` on the log group resource if the stream does not already exist. The ARN format for a log stream is `arn:aws:logs:region:account-id:log-group:log-group-name:log-stream:log-stream-name`, and using a wildcard (`*`) for the stream name is a common pattern to allow writing to any stream. In real-world scenarios, forgetting the `PutLogEvents` permission is a frequent cause of log delivery failures, even when other CloudWatch Logs permissions are correctly configured.
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.
Monitoring, Logging, and Remediation — This question tests Monitoring, Logging, and Remediation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add a new statement allowing logs:PutLogEvents on 'arn:aws:logs:us-east-1:123456789012:log-group:MyAppLogGroup:log-stream:*'. — The IAM policy attached to the EC2 instance role is missing the `logs:PutLogEvents` permission for the specific log stream within the log group. Even if the policy allows `logs:CreateLogStream` and `logs:DescribeLogGroups`, the application cannot send log events without `logs:PutLogEvents` on the log stream resource. Option C adds the required statement with the correct ARN pattern to resolve the failure.
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.
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Question Discussion
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