Quick Answer
The correct answers are SSE-S3 and SSE-KMS, as these are the two native Amazon S3 server-side encryption options that encrypt data at rest before it is written to disk and automatically decrypt it when accessed. SSE-S3 uses S3-managed keys with AES-256 encryption, while SSE-KMS provides additional control through AWS Key Management Service, including separate permissions, audit trails, and the ability to use customer-managed keys. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish server-side encryption from client-side encryption and encryption in transit; a common trap is confusing CloudHSM or SSL/TLS with S3’s server-side offerings. Remember that server-side encryption happens on the S3 side, not the client side, and that only SSE-S3 and SSE-KMS are built-in S3 options for encrypting objects at rest. A useful memory tip: “SSE” stands for “Server-Side Encryption,” and the two choices are “S3” (simple, managed) and “KMS” (key control).
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 is building a data lake on AWS and must encrypt data at rest. Which services can provide server-side encryption for data stored in Amazon S3? (Choose TWO.)
SSE-S3
Server-side encryption with S3 managed keys.
SSL/TLS
Why wrong: SSL/TLS is encryption in transit.
AWS SDK client-side encryption
Why wrong: Client-side encryption is performed before data reaches S3.
AWS CloudHSM
Why wrong: CloudHSM provides hardware security modules but not direct S3 encryption.
SSE-KMS
Server-side encryption with AWS KMS managed keys.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
SSE-S3
Options B and C are correct because SSE-S3 and SSE-KMS are two methods for server-side encryption in S3. Option A is wrong because client-side encryption is not server-side. Option D is wrong because CloudHSM is not a server-side encryption option for S3. Option E is wrong because SSL/TLS is encryption in transit, not at rest.
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.
SSE-S3
Why this is correct
Server-side encryption with S3 managed keys.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
SSL/TLS
Why it's wrong here
SSL/TLS is encryption in transit.
AWS SDK client-side encryption
Why it's wrong here
Client-side encryption is performed before data reaches S3.
AWS CloudHSM
Why it's wrong here
CloudHSM provides hardware security modules but not direct S3 encryption.
SSE-KMS
Why this is correct
Server-side encryption with AWS KMS managed keys.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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
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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: SSE-S3 — Options B and C are correct because SSE-S3 and SSE-KMS are two methods for server-side encryption in S3. Option A is wrong because client-side encryption is not server-side. Option D is wrong because CloudHSM is not a server-side encryption option for S3. Option E is wrong because SSL/TLS is encryption in transit, not at rest.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. 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?
easyWhy A: Option A is correct. 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.
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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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