DEA-C01 Data Security and Governance Practice Question
Network Topology
A data engineer runs the command shown to check the encryption configuration of an S3 bucket. The output shows SSEAlgorithm: AES256. What does this mean?
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 bucket uses SSE-S3 with Amazon S3-managed keys
AES256 refers to SSE-S3, where Amazon S3 manages the encryption keys using AES-256. Option B (SSE-KMS) would show 'aws:kms'. Option C (SSE-C) would require the customer to provide keys. Option D (no encryption) is incorrect because encryption is enabled.
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 bucket uses SSE-S3 with Amazon S3-managed keys
Why this is correct
AES256 indicates SSE-S3.
- ✗
The bucket uses SSE-KMS with a customer-managed key
Why it's wrong here
SSE-KMS would show 'aws:kms'.
- ✗
The bucket uses SSE-C with customer-provided keys
Why it's wrong here
SSE-C is not shown in this output.
- ✗
The bucket does not have encryption enabled
Why it's wrong here
Encryption is enabled (AES256).
Quick reference
Symmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Size | Block Size | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AES-128 | 128-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | NIST approved; WPA3, TLS |
| AES-256 | 256-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | Preferred for sensitive / govt data |
| 3DES | 112-bit effective | 64-bit | Deprecated (2023) | Replaced by AES |
| DES | 56-bit | 64-bit | Broken | Cracked in < 24 h; never deploy |
| ChaCha20 | 256-bit | Stream cipher | Current | TLS 1.3, WireGuard |
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.