The answer is to create an SCP that denies s3:PutBucketVersioning if versioning is not enabled. This approach is correct because a service control policy applied at the organizational level acts as a preventive guardrail, blocking any action that would create or modify an S3 bucket without versioning enabled, regardless of the account or region. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the difference between detective controls like AWS Config (which only alerts after non-compliance) and preventive controls like SCPs (which stop the violation before it happens). A common trap is to choose AWS Config rules, but remember that Config cannot prevent the action—it only reports it. For a memory tip, think of SCPs as the bouncer at the door: they deny entry to any bucket creation that lacks versioning, making enforcement scalable and error-proof across all accounts.
DOP-C02 Configuration Management and IaC Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of configuration management and iac. 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.
An organization manages multiple AWS accounts using AWS Organizations. They want to enforce that all Amazon S3 buckets across accounts have versioning enabled. Which approach is the most scalable and least error-prone?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "least"
Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create an SCP that denies s3:PutBucketVersioning if versioning is not enabled.
Option C is correct because using a service control policy (SCP) at the organizational level can deny the creation of S3 buckets without versioning, enforcing compliance across all accounts. Option A is wrong because it is not automated and depends on each account owner. Option B is wrong because Config rules only detect non-compliance, they do not prevent it. Option D is wrong because CloudFormation StackSets would require deploying a template to every account and region, which is more complex than an SCP.
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.
✗
Use AWS Config rules to detect buckets without versioning and send alerts.
Why it's wrong here
This detects but does not enforce.
✓
Create an SCP that denies s3:PutBucketVersioning if versioning is not enabled.
Why this is correct
SCPs prevent non-compliant actions at the account level.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Deploy a CloudFormation StackSet to all accounts with a template that enables versioning.
Why it's wrong here
StackSets are complex and may not prevent manual creation of buckets.
✗
Manually enable versioning on each bucket after creation.
Why it's wrong here
Manual process is error-prone and not scalable.
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.
Configuration Management and IaC — This question tests Configuration Management and IaC — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create an SCP that denies s3:PutBucketVersioning if versioning is not enabled. — Option C is correct because using a service control policy (SCP) at the organizational level can deny the creation of S3 buckets without versioning, enforcing compliance across all accounts. Option A is wrong because it is not automated and depends on each account owner. Option B is wrong because Config rules only detect non-compliance, they do not prevent it. Option D is wrong because CloudFormation StackSets would require deploying a template to every account and region, which is more complex than an SCP.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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