Quick Answer
The correct answer is that the object was uploaded with server-side encryption using AWS KMS. This is determined by the CloudTrail event revealing the x-amz-server-side-encryption header set to aws:kms, which directly indicates SSE-KMS was applied during the PutObject operation. For the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, interpreting CloudTrail events for SSE-KMS encryption is a common trap: many candidates confuse the aws:kms value with SSE-S3 (which uses AES256) or mistakenly think encryption applies to data in transit. The key distinction is that SSE-KMS encrypts data at rest using a KMS key, and CloudTrail logs this header precisely. A useful memory tip: remember "KMS in the log means KMS on the object" — if you see aws:kms in the encryption header, the object is encrypted with AWS KMS, not S3-managed keys.
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.
Refer to the exhibit. A data engineer queries AWS CloudTrail to investigate a PutObject event. What does the exhibit reveal about the object sensitive.csv?
The upload failed due to encryption mismatch.
Why wrong: The event is a successful PutObject.
The object was uploaded with server-side encryption using AWS KMS.
x-amz-server-side-encryption: aws:kms indicates SSE-KMS.
The object was not encrypted at rest.
Why wrong: It shows encryption with KMS.
The object was encrypted with SSE-S3.
Why wrong: SSE-S3 would show AES256.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The object was uploaded with server-side encryption using AWS KMS.
Option D is correct because the CloudTrail event shows x-amz-server-side-encryption: aws:kms, indicating the object was uploaded with SSE-KMS. Option A is wrong because the event does not indicate SSE-S3 (would be AES256). Option B is wrong because the object is encrypted at rest, not in transit. Option C is wrong because the event shows the object was uploaded, not that encryption failed.
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.
The upload failed due to encryption mismatch.
Why it's wrong here
The event is a successful PutObject.
The object was uploaded with server-side encryption using AWS KMS.
Why this is correct
x-amz-server-side-encryption: aws:kms indicates SSE-KMS.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
The object was not encrypted at rest.
Why it's wrong here
It shows encryption with KMS.
The object was encrypted with SSE-S3.
Why it's wrong here
SSE-S3 would show AES256.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
It shows encryption with KMS.
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.
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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: The object was uploaded with server-side encryption using AWS KMS. — Option D is correct because the CloudTrail event shows x-amz-server-side-encryption: aws:kms, indicating the object was uploaded with SSE-KMS. Option A is wrong because the event does not indicate SSE-S3 (would be AES256). Option B is wrong because the object is encrypted at rest, not in transit. Option C is wrong because the event shows the object was uploaded, not that encryption failed.
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.
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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.
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