DEA-C01 Data Store Management Practice Question
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```
{
"Version": "2012-10-17",
"Statement": [
{
"Effect": "Allow",
"Action": "s3:GetObject",
"Resource": "arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket/*",
"Condition": {
"StringEquals": {
"s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption": "AES256"
}
}
}
]
}
```A data engineer is reviewing an IAM policy that controls access to an S3 bucket. The policy is attached to a user group. The policy includes a condition that explicitly requires server-side encryption with SSE-S3 for all GetObject requests. The engineer notices that users are unable to download objects from the bucket. What is the likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often focus only on S3 actions (like `s3:GetObject`) and overlook the required KMS permissions when SSE-KMS is involved, assuming SSE-S3 or no encryption is the default.
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
✓
The objects are encrypted using SSE-KMS, not SSE-S3.
The IAM policy includes a condition that allows downloads only if the object is encrypted with SSE-S3. However, the objects in the bucket are encrypted using SSE-KMS, which does not satisfy the condition. As a result, the s3:GetObject request is denied. This is a common scenario where a specific encryption condition in the policy blocks access when the actual encryption method differs. The other options are less likely: attaching the policy to a user group is valid and does not cause download issues; an incorrect bucket ARN would affect all operations, not just downloads; and missing s3:GetObject would be a straightforward policy error that would be easily identified.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The policy is attached to a user group instead of an IAM role.
Why it's wrong here
Attaching to a group is valid; the issue is the condition.
- ✗
The policy does not specify the correct bucket ARN.
Why it's wrong here
The ARN is correct: arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket/*.
- ✗
The policy does not allow the s3:GetObject action.
Why it's wrong here
The policy explicitly allows s3:GetObject.
- ✓
The objects are encrypted using SSE-KMS, not SSE-S3.
Why this is correct
The condition requires SSE-S3 (AES256), so SSE-KMS objects are denied.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
Go deeper
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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