Quick Answer
The correct two steps are to enable MFA for each IAM user in the AWS Management Console and then attach an IAM policy that explicitly denies all console actions when MFA is not present. This works because MFA enforcement is not a global toggle; AWS requires you to configure it per user and then use a conditional policy to block access when the authentication factor is missing. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of IAM policy conditions and the difference between enabling a feature and enforcing it through policy logic. A common trap is assuming a simple global MFA setting exists or that CloudTrail can enforce authentication requirements. Remember the two-step mantra: “Enable it, then deny without it.”
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 wants to enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all IAM users accessing the AWS Management Console. Which TWO steps should be taken? (Choose two.)
Use AWS CloudTrail to monitor MFA usage.
Why wrong: Monitoring does not enforce.
Create an IAM policy that denies access without MFA.
Enforces MFA.
Enable MFA for each IAM user in the AWS Management Console.
Required for each user.
Enable MFA at the AWS account level.
Why wrong: No such setting.
Modify the IAM role trust policy to require MFA.
Why wrong: Roles require MFA in policy, not trust.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Create an IAM policy that denies access without MFA.
Option A is correct because you must first enable MFA on each user's account. Option D is correct because you need an IAM policy that denies access if MFA is not present. Option B is wrong because AWS does not have a global MFA setting. Option C is wrong because trust policy is for roles. Option E is wrong because CloudTrail does not enforce MFA.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Use AWS CloudTrail to monitor MFA usage.
Why it's wrong here
Monitoring does not enforce.
Create an IAM policy that denies access without MFA.
Why this is correct
Enforces MFA.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Enable MFA for each IAM user in the AWS Management Console.
Why this is correct
Required for each user.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Enable MFA at the AWS account level.
Why it's wrong here
No such setting.
Modify the IAM role trust policy to require MFA.
Why it's wrong here
Roles require MFA in policy, not trust.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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
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FAQ
Security and Compliance — This question tests Security and Compliance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Create an IAM policy that denies access without MFA. — Option A is correct because you must first enable MFA on each user's account. Option D is correct because you need an IAM policy that denies access if MFA is not present. Option B is wrong because AWS does not have a global MFA setting. Option C is wrong because trust policy is for roles. Option E is wrong because CloudTrail does not enforce MFA.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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.
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