The answer is to create a bucket policy with a condition for kms:EncryptionContext, set the default encryption on the bucket to SSE-KMS, and grant the IAM role kms:GenerateDataKey and kms:Decrypt permissions. This works because the bucket policy enforces that every PutObject request includes a specific encryption context key-value pair, which the KMS key uses as an additional authenticated data factor during decryption. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to combine bucket policies with KMS conditions to enforce encryption context, a common trap being confusing SSE-C or SSE-S3 as alternatives. Remember that SSE-KMS is the only server-side encryption method that supports encryption context enforcement via IAM or bucket policies, while SSE-S3 lacks this granular control. A useful memory tip is "Context is King with KMS"—the encryption context is a required condition, not an optional tag, when enforcing compliance.
DEA-C01 Data Security and Governance Practice Question
This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data security and governance. 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 stores sensitive customer data in an Amazon S3 bucket. The security team requires that all data be encrypted at rest using server-side encryption with AWS KMS managed keys (SSE-KMS). Additionally, they want to ensure that the encryption context is enforced for all PutObject requests. Which THREE steps should be taken to meet these requirements?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Set the default encryption on the bucket to SSE-KMS with the desired KMS key.
Options A, C, and E are correct. To enforce encryption context, you must use a bucket policy with a condition for kms:EncryptionContext (A). You must also set the default encryption on the bucket to SSE-KMS (C). The IAM role used by applications must have permission to use the KMS key (E). Option B is incorrect because the bucket policy can enforce encryption context without SSE-C. Option D is incorrect because SSE-S3 is not allowed.
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.
✓
Set the default encryption on the bucket to SSE-KMS with the desired KMS key.
Why this is correct
Default encryption ensures objects are encrypted.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Add a bucket policy that requires the s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption-aws-kms-key-id header and the kms:EncryptionContext condition.
Why this is correct
Bucket policy can enforce encryption context.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure the bucket to use SSE-C and provide the encryption key.
Why it's wrong here
SSE-C is not allowed; the requirement is SSE-KMS.
✗
Enable S3 Versioning on the bucket.
Why it's wrong here
Versioning does not enforce encryption.
✓
Create an IAM role that includes kms:GenerateDataKey and kms:Decrypt permissions for the KMS key.
Why this is correct
The role needs KMS permissions to encrypt/decrypt.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 DEA-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Data Security and Governance — This question tests Data Security and Governance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set the default encryption on the bucket to SSE-KMS with the desired KMS key. — Options A, C, and E are correct. To enforce encryption context, you must use a bucket policy with a condition for kms:EncryptionContext (A). You must also set the default encryption on the bucket to SSE-KMS (C). The IAM role used by applications must have permission to use the KMS key (E). Option B is incorrect because the bucket policy can enforce encryption context without SSE-C. Option D is incorrect because SSE-S3 is not allowed.
What should I do if I get this DEA-C01 question wrong?
Identify which DEA-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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