- A
"s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption": "aws:kms"
Why wrong: This condition enforces that server-side encryption with AWS KMS is used, but it does not require a specific KMS key ID. Any KMS key would satisfy this condition.
- B
"s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption-aws-kms-key-id": "arn:aws:kms:us-east-1:123456789012:key/abc"
This condition enforces that the exact KMS key with the specified ARN is used for server-side encryption. Denying requests that do not match this condition ensures all objects use the required key.
- C
"s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption": "AES256"
Why wrong: This condition enforces SSE-S3 encryption, not KMS. It is not appropriate for requiring KMS encryption.
- D
"kms:EncryptionContext": "service:s3"
Why wrong: This condition key is used in KMS key policies, not S3 bucket policies. It cannot be used to enforce encryption in S3 bucket policies.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to use the `s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption-aws-kms-key-id` condition key set to the specific KMS key ARN. This works because the condition key inspects the `x-amz-server-side-encryption-aws-kms-key-id` header in the PutObject request; if the header is missing or contains a different key ARN, the bucket policy’s Deny effect blocks the upload, enforcing encryption with your mandated key. On the DVA-C02 exam, this tests your understanding of S3 bucket policy conditions versus KMS key policies—a common trap is confusing `s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption` (which only checks for AES256 or aws:kms) with the more precise key ID condition. Remember that to lock down a specific KMS key, you must match the full ARN, not just the key alias or ID. Memory tip: “ARN it to own it”—if you want to enforce one specific KMS key, use the full ARN in the condition.
DVA-C02 Security Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security. 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 stores application logs in an Amazon S3 bucket. The security team requires that all objects uploaded to the bucket must be encrypted at rest using an AWS KMS key. The developer needs to enforce this by denying any PutObject request that does not use the required encryption. Which bucket policy condition should be used?
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
"s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption-aws-kms-key-id": "arn:aws:kms:us-east-1:123456789012:key/abc"
Option B is correct because the condition key `s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption-aws-kms-key-id` allows you to enforce that a specific KMS key ARN is used for server-side encryption. By setting this condition to the exact KMS key ARN, any PutObject request that does not include the required `x-amz-server-side-encryption-aws-kms-key-id` header with the matching key ID will be denied, ensuring all objects are encrypted with the mandated KMS key.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
"s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption": "aws:kms"
Why it's wrong here
This condition enforces that server-side encryption with AWS KMS is used, but it does not require a specific KMS key ID. Any KMS key would satisfy this condition.
- ✓
"s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption-aws-kms-key-id": "arn:aws:kms:us-east-1:123456789012:key/abc"
Why this is correct
This condition enforces that the exact KMS key with the specified ARN is used for server-side encryption. Denying requests that do not match this condition ensures all objects use the required key.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
"s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption": "AES256"
Why it's wrong here
This condition enforces SSE-S3 encryption, not KMS. It is not appropriate for requiring KMS encryption.
- ✗
"kms:EncryptionContext": "service:s3"
Why it's wrong here
This condition key is used in KMS key policies, not S3 bucket policies. It cannot be used to enforce encryption in S3 bucket policies.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse `s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption` (which only checks the encryption type, not the specific key) with `s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption-aws-kms-key-id` (which enforces the exact KMS key ARN), leading them to pick Option A instead of B.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, S3 evaluates bucket policy conditions at the time of the request, checking the `x-amz-server-side-encryption-aws-kms-key-id` header against the condition. If the header is missing or does not match the specified key ARN, the request is denied with an AccessDenied error. This is critical in multi-account or compliance scenarios where you must ensure logs are encrypted with a centrally managed KMS key, preventing users from accidentally using a different key or defaulting to SSE-S3.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DVA-C02 question test?
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: "s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption-aws-kms-key-id": "arn:aws:kms:us-east-1:123456789012:key/abc" — Option B is correct because the condition key `s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption-aws-kms-key-id` allows you to enforce that a specific KMS key ARN is used for server-side encryption. By setting this condition to the exact KMS key ARN, any PutObject request that does not include the required `x-amz-server-side-encryption-aws-kms-key-id` header with the matching key ID will be denied, ensuring all objects are encrypted with the mandated KMS key.
What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This DVA-C02 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 DVA-C02 exam.
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