The correct approach is to configure S3 server-side encryption with AWS KMS using the vendor’s KMS key and allow only that key for decryption. This works because S3 envelope encryption with KMS ensures that only artifacts encrypted with the vendor’s specific KMS key can be decrypted and used by CodePipeline, effectively verifying the artifact’s origin and integrity. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how KMS key policies and S3 encryption settings can enforce artifact signing verification without native CodePipeline support. A common trap is assuming CodePipeline itself can validate signatures, but it cannot—S3’s encryption enforcement is the actual mechanism. Another trap is confusing signed URLs or IAM policies, which control access but not content provenance. Memory tip: “Encrypt to verify”—if the pipeline can decrypt it, the vendor’s key signed it.
DOP-C02 Security and Compliance Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security and compliance. 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 using AWS CodePipeline to deploy applications. The pipeline source is an S3 bucket that receives artifacts from a third-party vendor. The DevOps team needs to ensure that only artifacts signed by the vendor's KMS key are deployed. Which approach meets this requirement?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure S3 server-side encryption with AWS KMS using the vendor's KMS key and allow only that key.
Option C is correct because S3 supports envelope encryption with KMS, and the pipeline can verify the KMS key. Option A is wrong because S3 signed URLs do not verify the origin of the content. Option B is wrong because IAM policies can't enforce encryption on specific keys. Option D is wrong because CodePipeline does not natively support artifact signing verification.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 an IAM policy to restrict s3:GetObject to objects encrypted with the vendor's KMS key.
Why it's wrong here
IAM policies can't enforce encryption key conditions on GetObject.
✗
Use CodePipeline's built-in artifact signing feature.
Why it's wrong here
CodePipeline does not have artifact signing.
✗
Use S3 pre-signed URLs to download artifacts.
Why it's wrong here
Pre-signed URLs do not verify the content was encrypted with a specific key.
✓
Configure S3 server-side encryption with AWS KMS using the vendor's KMS key and allow only that key.
Why this is correct
Enables verification that objects are encrypted with the expected key.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DOP-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Security and Compliance — This question tests Security and Compliance — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure S3 server-side encryption with AWS KMS using the vendor's KMS key and allow only that key. — Option C is correct because S3 supports envelope encryption with KMS, and the pipeline can verify the KMS key. Option A is wrong because S3 signed URLs do not verify the origin of the content. Option B is wrong because IAM policies can't enforce encryption on specific keys. Option D is wrong because CodePipeline does not natively support artifact signing verification.
What should I do if I get this DOP-C02 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DOP-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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