The answer is to create a VPC endpoint for AWS KMS and attach a key policy condition that restricts usage to that specific VPC endpoint. This works because the VPC endpoint provides private connectivity between your VPC and KMS without traversing the public internet, while the key policy condition using `aws:SourceVpce` ensures the KMS key can only be decrypted or used when the API call originates from that endpoint. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to combine network-level controls with resource-based policies, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly choose SCPs or bucket policies—remember, SCPs cannot restrict KMS key usage, and bucket policies only control S3 actions, not the key itself. A common memory tip is "VPCe + Key Policy = Locked Down Key," reinforcing that the endpoint handles the network path while the policy enforces the authorization.
DOP-C02 Security and Compliance Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security and compliance. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 using AWS KMS to encrypt data in Amazon S3. The security team wants to ensure that the KMS key can only be used from within the company's VPC. What should be done? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Modify the KMS key policy to include a condition that requires the kms:ViaService to be from the VPC endpoint.
Options B and C are correct. A VPC endpoint for KMS allows private connectivity. A key policy with a condition for the VPC endpoint restricts usage. Option A is wrong because SCPs cannot restrict KMS key usage. Option D is wrong because bucket policies cannot restrict KMS key usage. Option E is wrong because security groups do not apply to KMS.
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.
✗
Attach a security group to the KMS key.
Why it's wrong here
Security groups are for EC2 instances, not for KMS keys.
✓
Modify the KMS key policy to include a condition that requires the kms:ViaService to be from the VPC endpoint.
Why this is correct
This condition restricts use of the key to requests coming through the VPC endpoint.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure the S3 bucket policy to allow only requests from the VPC.
Why it's wrong here
Bucket policy controls access to S3, not to the KMS key.
✗
Create a service control policy (SCP) that denies KMS operations from outside the VPC.
Why it's wrong here
SCPs apply to accounts, not to specific KMS keys.
✓
Create a VPC endpoint for AWS KMS.
Why this is correct
A VPC endpoint allows private access to KMS without traversing the internet.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 DOP-C02 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.
Security and Compliance — This question tests Security and Compliance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Modify the KMS key policy to include a condition that requires the kms:ViaService to be from the VPC endpoint. — Options B and C are correct. A VPC endpoint for KMS allows private connectivity. A key policy with a condition for the VPC endpoint restricts usage. Option A is wrong because SCPs cannot restrict KMS key usage. Option D is wrong because bucket policies cannot restrict KMS key usage. Option E is wrong because security groups do not apply to KMS.
What should I do if I get this DOP-C02 question wrong?
Identify which DOP-C02 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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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