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CloudCertPrep
SOA-C03Domain 4: Security and ComplianceSecurity OperationsmediumSingle choice

Ops must keep hundreds of EC2 instances patched to an approved baseline on a schedule, with reports on compliance. Which Systems Manager capability is designed for this?

A.Session Manager

Session Manager is interactive shell access, not patching.

B.Patch Manager with patch baselines and maintenance windows

Correct. Baselines + windows + compliance = Patch Manager's job.

C.Run Command with ad-hoc yum commands

Ad-hoc commands aren't scheduled, baseline-aware patching.

D.AWS Config rules

Config audits configuration, doesn't install patches.

Why this answer

Patch Manager combines patch baselines (approved patch sets) + maintenance windows (scheduled install) + compliance reporting — the complete fleet-patching answer. Run Command executes commands but doesn't manage patch state.

Correct answer: B · Last reviewed 2026-10-28

Official AWS references

Practice this interactively

Answer without seeing the solution first in the Security Operations practice session.

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