Quick Answer
The answer is SSE-S3 and SSE-KMS, as both are server-side encryption options that protect data at rest by encrypting objects before they are written to disk in Amazon S3. SSE-S3 uses S3-managed keys with AES-256 encryption, while SSE-KMS leverages AWS Key Management Service for centralized key control and audit trails. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this concept tests your understanding of encryption mechanisms versus other S3 features like Transfer Acceleration or Versioning, which serve different purposes. A common trap is confusing data protection with data durability or access control—encryption specifically addresses confidentiality at rest. Remember the mnemonic “SSE for Secrets” to recall that both SSE-S3 and SSE-KMS are the only two S3 features directly encrypting stored data, not moving or locking it.
This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data security and governance. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 uses S3 to store sensitive data. Which TWO S3 features can be used to protect data at rest?
S3 Versioning
Why wrong: Versioning protects against accidental deletion.
Server-Side Encryption with S3 Managed Keys (SSE-S3)
SSE-S3 encrypts data at rest.
Server-Side Encryption with AWS KMS (SSE-KMS)
SSE-KMS encrypts data at rest.
S3 Transfer Acceleration
Why wrong: Transfer Acceleration speeds up uploads, does not encrypt.
S3 Object Lock
Why wrong: Object Lock prevents deletion in a retention period.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Server-Side Encryption with S3 Managed Keys (SSE-S3)
Options A and D are correct. SSE-S3 and SSE-KMS both encrypt data at rest. Option B is wrong because S3 Transfer Acceleration accelerates transfers, not encryption. Option C is wrong because S3 Versioning protects against deletion, not encryption. Option E is wrong because S3 Object Lock prevents deletion/overwrite, not encryption.
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.
S3 Versioning
Why it's wrong here
Versioning protects against accidental deletion.
Server-Side Encryption with S3 Managed Keys (SSE-S3)
Why this is correct
SSE-S3 encrypts data at rest.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Server-Side Encryption with AWS KMS (SSE-KMS)
Why this is correct
SSE-KMS encrypts data at rest.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
S3 Transfer Acceleration
Why it's wrong here
Transfer Acceleration speeds up uploads, does not encrypt.
S3 Object Lock
Why it's wrong here
Object Lock prevents deletion in a retention period.
Common exam traps
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
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.
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
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 — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Data Security and Governance practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All DEA-C01 questions
1,786 questions across all exam domains
AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
DEA-C01 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise DEA-C01 questions linked to Data Ingestion and Transformation.
Practise DEA-C01 questions linked to Data Operations and Support.
Practise DEA-C01 questions linked to Data Security and Governance.
Practise DEA-C01 questions linked to Data Store Management.
Practise DEA-C01 questions linked to DEA-C01 fundamentals.
Practise DEA-C01 questions linked to DEA-C01 scenario.
Practise DEA-C01 questions linked to DEA-C01 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Data Security and Governance — This question tests Data Security and Governance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Server-Side Encryption with S3 Managed Keys (SSE-S3) — Options A and D are correct. SSE-S3 and SSE-KMS both encrypt data at rest. Option B is wrong because S3 Transfer Acceleration accelerates transfers, not encryption. Option C is wrong because S3 Versioning protects against deletion, not encryption. Option E is wrong because S3 Object Lock prevents deletion/overwrite, not encryption.
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.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This DEA-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 DEA-C01 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.