AWS Service for External Auditor Information

CLF-C02 By islever Editorial Last updated

Short answer

C AWS Config generates detailed configuration records and change histories that allow external auditors to verify compliance with policies and regulations.

Question

Which AWS service can generate information that can be used by external auditors?
  1. Amazon Cognito
  2. Amazon FSx
  3. AWS Config Correct Answer
  4. Amazon Inspector

Key Takeaways

The question tests knowledge of AWS governance services, specifically highlighting the trap of confusing security assessment tools (like Inspector) with configuration auditing tools (Config).

This question identifies AWS Config as the correct service for generating audit information. It establishes that AWS Config's ability to record configuration changes and track resource relationships makes it essential for compliance verification by external auditors.

Common mistake: Candidates often select Amazon Inspector, mistaking vulnerability scanning for comprehensive configuration auditing. While Inspector provides security findings, it does not provide the detailed inventory and history of resource configurations required for general compliance auditing.

Expert Analysis

Why the Answer Is Correct

AWS Config is the correct answer because it continuously monitors and records configuration changes to AWS resources. It provides a detailed inventory of all resources and their relationships, allowing organizations to assess compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements. This historical data and real-time state are precisely what external auditors need to verify that infrastructure matches approved baselines.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Amazon Cognito handles user identity and access management, not infrastructure auditing. Amazon FSx is a file storage service and has no inherent auditing capabilities for other resources. Amazon Inspector automates security assessments by finding vulnerabilities in operating systems and applications, but it does not track configuration drift or maintain a comprehensive resource inventory for compliance auditing purposes.

Community Comment Notes

Community consensus strongly supports AWS Config. As noted by Yomijohnson, "AWS Config is a service that provides a detailed view of the configuration of AWS resources... allows you to audit and assess resource configurations." Another commenter, alokdixit2006, emphasized that it is used to "track, record, and audit configuration changes," reinforcing its role as the primary tool for this specific audit requirement.

Exam Strategy

When asked about auditing resource configurations or compliance history, always choose AWS Config. Distinguish it from Amazon CloudTrail (which audits API activity) and Amazon Inspector (which audits security vulnerabilities). The keyword 'configuration' points directly to Config.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn't Amazon Inspector the right choice for auditors?

Inspector focuses on security vulnerabilities in OS and apps, not the configuration state of all AWS resources needed for broad compliance auditing.

Does AWS Config replace CloudTrail for auditing?

No. CloudTrail logs API calls (who did what), while Config tracks resource configurations (what the resources look like). Both are often used together.

More CLF-C02 FAQ →

Community Votes

C
100%

100% of anonymous learners picked answer C. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.

Discussion 4 contributions

Compiled from public community threads and reader submissions, lightly edited for clarity. Handles and vote tallies are shown as recorded, and comments reflect the views of individual contributors.

From public community threads 4

  1. Yomijohnson 👍 2
    AWS Config is a service that provides a detailed view of the configuration of AWS resources in your account. It records configuration changes, tracks resource relationships, and allows you to audit and assess resource configurations over time. It generates detailed information that can be used by external auditors to verify compliance with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and best practices.
  2. ShaiTay 👍 2 Answered C
    C. AWS Config - provides detailed inventory
  3. Nikmah 👍 1 Answered C
    AWS Config • Helps with auditing and recording compliance of your AWS resources • Helps record configurations and changes over time
  4. alokdixit2006 👍 1 Answered C
    AWS Config: AWS service is used to track, record, and audit configuration changes made to AWS resources

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