The answer is to use an SCP in AWS Organizations. This is correct because Service Control Policies (SCPs) allow you to centrally enforce account-level restrictions across all member accounts in an organization, specifically by denying the s3:PutBucketPublicAccessBlock action, which prevents any account from disabling or modifying the block public access settings. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of governance versus detection: while IAM policies are per-identity and AWS Config only detects non-compliance, SCPs provide mandatory enforcement at the organizational root or OU level. A common trap is confusing account-level S3 Block Public Access settings with cross-account enforcement—remember that individual account settings can be overridden by an admin, but an SCP cannot be bypassed. Memory tip: SCP stands for “Security Control Policy” in practice—think “SCP stops changes” to recall that it enforces, not just detects.
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 uses S3 to store sensitive customer data. To prevent accidental public access, a data engineer needs to ensure that all S3 buckets block public access at the account level. Which AWS service should be used to enforce this policy?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use an SCP in AWS Organizations to deny s3:PutBucketPublicAccessBlock
AWS Organizations with SCPs can centrally control permissions across all accounts, including blocking public access to S3 buckets. Option A is wrong because IAM policies are per-identity and not account-wide. Option B is wrong because S3 Block Public Access settings exist per bucket or account, but to enforce across all accounts, Organizations is needed. Option D is wrong because AWS Config can detect non-compliance but not enforce. Option C is correct.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Enable S3 Block Public Access at the account level in the management account
Why it's wrong here
This only affects the management account, not member accounts.
✗
Create an IAM policy that denies s3:PutBucketPolicy
Why it's wrong here
IAM policies apply to users/roles, not account-wide enforcement; they don't block all public access settings.
✓
Use an SCP in AWS Organizations to deny s3:PutBucketPublicAccessBlock
Why this is correct
SCPs can enforce that no account can disable block public access, covering all accounts.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Set up AWS Config rules to automatically remediate public buckets
Why it's wrong here
AWS Config detects but does not enforce; remediation requires additional automation.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related DEA-C01 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Data Security and Governance — This question tests Data Security and Governance — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use an SCP in AWS Organizations to deny s3:PutBucketPublicAccessBlock — AWS Organizations with SCPs can centrally control permissions across all accounts, including blocking public access to S3 buckets. Option A is wrong because IAM policies are per-identity and not account-wide. Option B is wrong because S3 Block Public Access settings exist per bucket or account, but to enforce across all accounts, Organizations is needed. Option D is wrong because AWS Config can detect non-compliance but not enforce. Option C is correct.
What should I do if I get this DEA-C01 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related DEA-C01 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Question Discussion
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