Quick Answer
The answer is to enable default encryption with SSE-KMS using a customer-managed key (CMK). This is correct because S3 default encryption automatically applies server-side encryption to every object uploaded to the bucket, and by specifying a customer-managed KMS key, you retain full control over the encryption key lifecycle, rotation, and access policies—exactly what the data engineer needs for SageMaker training data. On the AWS Certified AI Practitioner AIF-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the distinction between AWS-managed keys (SSE-S3) and customer-managed keys (SSE-KMS with CMK), a common trap where candidates confuse automatic encryption with key ownership. Remember, if the requirement says “customer-managed,” you must choose SSE-KMS with a CMK, not SSE-S3 or SSE-KMS with an AWS-managed key. Memory tip: “CMK = Customer Must control the Key.”
This AIF-C01 practice question tests your understanding of security, compliance and governance for ai solutions. 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 data engineer needs to ensure that all data uploaded to an S3 bucket for SageMaker training is automatically encrypted with a customer-managed key. Which S3 feature should they enable?
Object lock with compliance mode.
Why wrong: Object Lock is for write-once-read-many, not encryption.
Default encryption with SSE-KMS using an AWS managed key.
Why wrong: AWS managed keys are not customer-managed.
Default encryption with SSE-KMS using a customer managed key (CMK).
CMK provides customer control over encryption keys.
Default encryption with SSE-S3.
Why wrong: SSE-S3 uses AWS-managed keys, not customer-managed.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Default encryption with SSE-KMS using a customer managed key (CMK).
Option C is correct because the requirement specifies a customer-managed key (CMK). Default encryption with SSE-KMS allows you to specify a CMK, ensuring all objects uploaded to the S3 bucket are automatically encrypted using that key. This satisfies the data engineer's need for control over the encryption key.
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.
Object lock with compliance mode.
Why it's wrong here
Object Lock is for write-once-read-many, not encryption.
Default encryption with SSE-KMS using an AWS managed key.
Why it's wrong here
AWS managed keys are not customer-managed.
Default encryption with SSE-KMS using a customer managed key (CMK).
Why this is correct
CMK provides customer control over encryption keys.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Default encryption with SSE-S3.
Why it's wrong here
SSE-S3 uses AWS-managed keys, not customer-managed.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between AWS managed keys and customer managed keys (CMKs) in SSE-KMS, where candidates mistakenly select an AWS managed key option when the question explicitly requires a customer-managed key.
Detailed technical explanation
When you enable default encryption with SSE-KMS on an S3 bucket, any PUT request without an explicit encryption header is automatically encrypted using the specified KMS key. The key policy of the CMK must grant the s3:PutObject permission to the IAM role or user performing the upload, and the KMS key must be in the same AWS Region as the bucket. This setup is common in regulated environments where audit trails for key usage are mandatory.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
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FAQ
Security, Compliance and Governance for AI Solutions — This question tests Security, Compliance and Governance for AI Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Default encryption with SSE-KMS using a customer managed key (CMK). — Option C is correct because the requirement specifies a customer-managed key (CMK). Default encryption with SSE-KMS allows you to specify a CMK, ensuring all objects uploaded to the S3 bucket are automatically encrypted using that key. This satisfies the data engineer's need for control over the encryption key.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This AIF-C01 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 AIF-C01 exam.
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