- A
DeleteBucket
Why wrong: This could be part of an attack but not directly for credential timeline.
- B
UpdateLoginProfile
Why wrong: This changes password policy but is less common in compromise timelines.
- C
CreateAccessKey
An attacker may create new access keys to maintain persistence.
- D
DescribeInstances
Why wrong: This is a read operation and not directly indicative of compromise.
- E
ConsoleLogin
Records when and from where a user logs into the console.
Question 783 of 1,000
CCSP Cloud Security Operations Practice Question
This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of cloud security operations. 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 cloud security analyst is investigating a potential credential compromise in AWS. Which TWO CloudTrail events would be most relevant to establishing a timeline of the compromise?
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
✓
CreateAccessKey
Option C (CreateAccessKey) is correct because the creation of a new access key pair is a strong indicator of an attacker establishing persistent programmatic access to an AWS account. This event, logged by CloudTrail as 'CreateAccessKey' in the IAM service, provides a precise timestamp for when the attacker may have generated credentials to maintain access outside of the console.
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.
- ✗
DeleteBucket
Why it's wrong here
This could be part of an attack but not directly for credential timeline.
- ✗
UpdateLoginProfile
Why it's wrong here
This changes password policy but is less common in compromise timelines.
- ✓
CreateAccessKey
Why this is correct
An attacker may create new access keys to maintain persistence.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
DescribeInstances
Why it's wrong here
This is a read operation and not directly indicative of compromise.
- ✓
ConsoleLogin
Why this is correct
Records when and from where a user logs into the console.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between events that indicate the initial compromise (like credential creation) versus events that are merely post-compromise reconnaissance or data destruction, leading candidates to select DescribeInstances or DeleteBucket as they seem suspicious but are not timeline-establishing events.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, CloudTrail records the 'CreateAccessKey' event with the 'userIdentity' field showing the principal (IAM user or role) that performed the action, and the 'requestParameters' field containing the new access key ID. A real-world scenario: an attacker who compromises an IAM user's password might immediately create a new access key to enable programmatic access via AWS CLI or SDK, bypassing MFA if the user has no MFA device attached; this event is critical for forensic timeline reconstruction.
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
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.
- →
Cloud Security Operations — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CCSP question test?
Cloud Security Operations — This question tests Cloud Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: CreateAccessKey — Option C (CreateAccessKey) is correct because the creation of a new access key pair is a strong indicator of an attacker establishing persistent programmatic access to an AWS account. This event, logged by CloudTrail as 'CreateAccessKey' in the IAM service, provides a precise timestamp for when the attacker may have generated credentials to maintain access outside of the console.
What should I do if I get this CCSP 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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This CCSP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 CCSP exam.
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