The answer is that the Deny statement's Resource specifies only the objects, not the bucket itself. This is the classic "object-level vs bucket-level" policy trap: the Deny condition on `aws:SecureTransport` applies only to the object ARN (`arn:aws:s3:::bucket/*`), so actions targeting the bucket resource itself—like `s3:ListBucket` or `s3:GetBucketLocation`—are not denied, and HTTP requests for those operations succeed. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this tests your understanding that an S3 bucket policy to enforce HTTPS only on objects must include both the bucket ARN and the object ARN in the Resource element to cover all actions. A common trap is assuming a single wildcard resource covers everything, but the bucket and its objects are separate ARNs. Memory tip: "Bucket and objects, two ARNs for full HTTPS locks."
DOP-C02 Resilient Cloud Solutions Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of resilient cloud solutions. 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 deploys the above CloudFormation stack. They want to enforce HTTPS for all requests to the S3 bucket. After deployment, users are still able to make HTTP requests. What is the problem?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The Deny statement's Resource specifies only the objects, not the bucket itself
The Deny policy only applies to objects in the bucket (Resource: arn:aws:s3:::bucket/*), but not to the bucket itself. Actions like listing objects (s3:ListBucket) are denied only if the resource is the bucket itself. Option A is wrong because the bucket is versioned, but that doesn't affect encryption. Option B is wrong because the Condition is correct. Option D is wrong because the policy uses Deny, which overrides Allow.
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.
✗
The condition key 'aws:SecureTransport' is misspelled; it should be 'aws:SecureTransport' with a capital 'T'
Why it's wrong here
The condition key is correct.
✗
The bucket is not versioned, so the policy does not apply to object versions
The policy uses Deny, but an Allow policy from another statement overrides it
Why it's wrong here
Deny always overrides Allow.
✓
The Deny statement's Resource specifies only the objects, not the bucket itself
Why this is correct
The Resource does not include the bucket ARN, so bucket-level operations like ListBucket are not denied.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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 DOP-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Resilient Cloud Solutions — This question tests Resilient Cloud Solutions — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The Deny statement's Resource specifies only the objects, not the bucket itself — The Deny policy only applies to objects in the bucket (Resource: arn:aws:s3:::bucket/*), but not to the bucket itself. Actions like listing objects (s3:ListBucket) are denied only if the resource is the bucket itself. Option A is wrong because the bucket is versioned, but that doesn't affect encryption. Option B is wrong because the Condition is correct. Option D is wrong because the policy uses Deny, which overrides Allow.
What should I do if I get this DOP-C02 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 DOP-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
About these practice questions
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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 DevOps team uses the above CloudFormation template to create an S3 bucket. What does the bucket policy accomplish?
easy
✓ A.It denies all S3 operations on the bucket unless the request uses HTTPS.
B.It denies all read access to the bucket for anonymous users.
C.It prevents anyone from deleting objects in the bucket.
D.It allows only HTTPS requests to the bucket and denies all HTTP requests.
Why A: Option B is correct. The policy denies all S3 actions on the bucket objects if the request is not sent over HTTPS (SecureTransport false). This enforces encryption in transit. Option A is wrong because it denies all actions, not just read. Option C is wrong because it denies only when not using HTTPS. Option D is wrong because the policy denies all actions, not just delete.
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This DOP-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 DOP-C02 exam.
Question Discussion
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