- A
Update the Auto Scaling group's launch configuration to use a different AMI.
Why wrong: Does not affect running instances.
- B
Terminate the instance immediately.
Why wrong: May destroy forensic evidence.
- C
Detach the instance from the Auto Scaling group and apply a security group that denies all traffic.
Isolates the compromised instance.
- D
Delete the Auto Scaling group.
Why wrong: Terminates all instances.
Question 456 of 1,546
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.
An administrator notices that an EC2 instance has been compromised. The instance is part of an Auto Scaling group. What should the administrator do FIRST to contain the incident?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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
✓
Detach the instance from the Auto Scaling group and apply a security group that denies all traffic.
The correct first step is to detach the instance from the Auto Scaling group and apply a security group that denies all traffic. This isolates the compromised instance, preventing further damage while preserving evidence for forensic analysis. Option A is incorrect because changing the launch configuration does not affect running instances. Option B is incorrect because immediate termination may destroy evidence. Option D is incorrect because deleting the Auto Scaling group is an extreme measure and not the immediate containment step.
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.
- ✗
Update the Auto Scaling group's launch configuration to use a different AMI.
Why it's wrong here
Does not affect running instances.
- ✗
Terminate the instance immediately.
Why it's wrong here
May destroy forensic evidence.
- ✓
Detach the instance from the Auto Scaling group and apply a security group that denies all traffic.
Why this is correct
Isolates the compromised instance.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Delete the Auto Scaling group.
Why it's wrong here
Terminates all instances.
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 healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
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 — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Security and Compliance practice questions
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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: Detach the instance from the Auto Scaling group and apply a security group that denies all traffic. — The correct first step is to detach the instance from the Auto Scaling group and apply a security group that denies all traffic. This isolates the compromised instance, preventing further damage while preserving evidence for forensic analysis. Option A is incorrect because changing the launch configuration does not affect running instances. Option B is incorrect because immediate termination may destroy evidence. Option D is incorrect because deleting the Auto Scaling group is an extreme measure and not the immediate containment step.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
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 →
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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