- A
AWS Config with a managed rule (s3-bucket-server-side-encryption-enabled) and an automatic remediation action using an AWS Systems Manager Automation document
AWS Config continuously evaluates resource configurations against rules. The managed rule checks for S3 bucket default encryption. Automatic remediation via Systems Manager Automation can enable encryption on non-compliant buckets. This meets all stated requirements: continuous monitoring, detection, remediation, compliance score, and review capability.
- B
Amazon GuardDuty with a finding type for S3 bucket encryption
Why wrong: Amazon GuardDuty is a threat detection service that identifies malicious activity and unauthorized behavior. It does not monitor configuration compliance such as S3 bucket encryption settings, nor does it provide automatic remediation or compliance scores.
- C
AWS Trusted Advisor with the S3 Bucket Permissions check
Why wrong: AWS Trusted Advisor checks S3 bucket permissions (public access) but not default encryption. It provides recommendations but does not automatically remediate or maintain a compliance score for encryption settings.
- D
AWS CloudTrail with a trail that logs S3 API calls and an Amazon CloudWatch alarm
Why wrong: AWS CloudTrail records API activity for audit purposes. It does not monitor current resource configurations, enforce encryption policies, or provide automatic remediation. CloudWatch alarms can notify on specific events but cannot detect non-compliant bucket encryption states or fix them.
Quick Answer
The answer is AWS Config with a managed rule and automatic remediation. This service continuously evaluates all existing and new S3 buckets against the encryption requirement using the `s3-bucket-server-side-encryption-enabled` managed rule, and when a non-compliant bucket is detected, it triggers an AWS Systems Manager Automation document to automatically enable default encryption (SSE-S3 or SSE-KMS), while also providing a compliance score dashboard for the security team to review. On the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner CLF-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how AWS Config enforces compliance through automated detective and corrective controls, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly choose AWS CloudTrail (which only logs API calls) or AWS Trusted Advisor (which provides manual checks without auto-remediation). Remember the key pairing: AWS Config detects and scores, Systems Manager Automation fixes. A useful memory tip is "Config catches, Automation patches" — think of Config as the security guard who spots the violation, and Automation as the repair crew that locks the door.
CLF-C02 Security and Compliance Practice Question
This CLF-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's security policy requires that all Amazon S3 buckets have default encryption enabled (SSE-S3 or SSE-KMS). A recent audit found several buckets without encryption enabled. The company wants an automated solution to continuously monitor all existing and new S3 buckets, detect any bucket that does not have default encryption enabled, and automatically remediate by enabling encryption. The solution must also maintain a compliance score and allow the security team to review non-compliant resources. Which AWS service should the company use to meet these requirements?
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
AWS Config with a managed rule (s3-bucket-server-side-encryption-enabled) and an automatic remediation action using an AWS Systems Manager Automation document
AWS Config with the managed rule `s3-bucket-server-side-encryption-enabled` continuously evaluates S3 buckets against the encryption requirement. When a non-compliant bucket is detected, an automatic remediation action can invoke an AWS Systems Manager Automation document to enable default encryption (SSE-S3 or SSE-KMS). AWS Config also provides a compliance score dashboard and allows the security team to review non-compliant resources, meeting all stated requirements.
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.
- ✓
AWS Config with a managed rule (s3-bucket-server-side-encryption-enabled) and an automatic remediation action using an AWS Systems Manager Automation document
Why this is correct
AWS Config continuously evaluates resource configurations against rules. The managed rule checks for S3 bucket default encryption. Automatic remediation via Systems Manager Automation can enable encryption on non-compliant buckets. This meets all stated requirements: continuous monitoring, detection, remediation, compliance score, and review capability.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Amazon GuardDuty with a finding type for S3 bucket encryption
Why it's wrong here
Amazon GuardDuty is a threat detection service that identifies malicious activity and unauthorized behavior. It does not monitor configuration compliance such as S3 bucket encryption settings, nor does it provide automatic remediation or compliance scores.
- ✗
AWS Trusted Advisor with the S3 Bucket Permissions check
Why it's wrong here
AWS Trusted Advisor checks S3 bucket permissions (public access) but not default encryption. It provides recommendations but does not automatically remediate or maintain a compliance score for encryption settings.
- ✗
AWS CloudTrail with a trail that logs S3 API calls and an Amazon CloudWatch alarm
Why it's wrong here
AWS CloudTrail records API activity for audit purposes. It does not monitor current resource configurations, enforce encryption policies, or provide automatic remediation. CloudWatch alarms can notify on specific events but cannot detect non-compliant bucket encryption states or fix them.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse AWS Config's compliance evaluation and remediation capabilities with GuardDuty's threat detection or Trusted Advisor's advisory checks, but only AWS Config provides continuous monitoring, automated remediation, and a compliance score for resource configuration rules.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The AWS Config managed rule `s3-bucket-server-side-encryption-enabled` evaluates the `x-amz-server-side-encryption` header in the bucket's default encryption configuration. Under the hood, AWS Config uses a Lambda function (or a built-in rule evaluator) to compare the bucket's `DefaultEncryption` field against the rule parameters (e.g., `SSEAlgorithm` set to `AES256` or `aws:kms`). The remediation action uses an SSM Automation document, such as `AWS-EnableS3BucketEncryption`, which calls the `PutBucketEncryption` API with the specified SSE algorithm. In a real-world scenario, if a bucket is created via CloudFormation without encryption, AWS Config can trigger remediation within minutes, ensuring continuous compliance without manual intervention.
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 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
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.
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Security and Compliance — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CLF-C02 question test?
Security and Compliance — This question tests Security and Compliance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: AWS Config with a managed rule (s3-bucket-server-side-encryption-enabled) and an automatic remediation action using an AWS Systems Manager Automation document — AWS Config with the managed rule `s3-bucket-server-side-encryption-enabled` continuously evaluates S3 buckets against the encryption requirement. When a non-compliant bucket is detected, an automatic remediation action can invoke an AWS Systems Manager Automation document to enable default encryption (SSE-S3 or SSE-KMS). AWS Config also provides a compliance score dashboard and allows the security team to review non-compliant resources, meeting all stated requirements.
What should I do if I get this CLF-C02 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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on CLF-C02
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company's compliance team needs to enforce a policy that all Amazon S3 buckets must have 'Block all public access' enabled. If a bucket is created without this setting, the company wants the policy to be automatically remediated within minutes without manual intervention. The solution must check for compliance continuously and apply the fix automatically. Which AWS service should the company use to meet these requirements?
medium- ✓ A.AWS Config with an AWS Config rule and an automatic remediation action
- B.Amazon GuardDuty
- C.AWS CloudTrail
- D.AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Why A: AWS Config can continuously evaluate the configuration of S3 buckets against a managed rule like 's3-bucket-public-read-prohibited' or 's3-bucket-public-write-prohibited'. When a noncompliant bucket is detected, AWS Config can automatically trigger a remediation action using an AWS Systems Manager Automation document (e.g., 'AWS-DisableS3BucketPublicReadWrite') to enable 'Block all public access' within minutes, without manual intervention.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This CLF-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 CLF-C02 exam.
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