Quick Answer
The answer is AWS Config rules with auto-remediation. This is the correct choice because AWS Config can evaluate S3 buckets against a managed rule like s3-bucket-server-side-encryption-enabled, and when a non-compliant bucket is detected, an automatic remediation action—such as an SSM automation document—can apply SSE-S3 encryption without manual intervention. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to enforce encryption policies at scale, often as a distractor against IAM bucket policies, which can deny unencrypted uploads but cannot fix existing unencrypted objects. A common trap is choosing CloudTrail for logging or Service Catalog for provisioning, but neither offers detection and auto-fix. Memory tip: think “Config catches, remediation patches” to remember the detection-to-remediation pipeline.
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.
An organization wants to enforce that all Amazon S3 buckets are encrypted with SSE-S3. Which AWS service can be used to automatically remediate non-compliant buckets?
AWS CloudTrail
Why wrong: Logs API calls, does not remediate.
AWS Config rules with auto-remediation
Config can detect non-compliant buckets and trigger remediation.
IAM policies
Why wrong: Can prevent unencrypted puts but not fix existing buckets.
AWS Service Catalog
Why wrong: For provisioning, not remediation.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AWS Config rules with auto-remediation
Option D is correct because AWS Config with managed rules and auto-remediation can enforce encryption. Option A is wrong because IAM can deny non-encrypted put, but not remediate existing buckets. Option B is wrong because CloudTrail is for logging. Option C is wrong because Service Catalog is for provisioning approved resources.
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
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AWS CloudTrail
Why it's wrong here
Logs API calls, does not remediate.
AWS Config rules with auto-remediation
Why this is correct
Config can detect non-compliant buckets and trigger remediation.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
IAM policies
Why it's wrong here
Can prevent unencrypted puts but not fix existing buckets.
AWS Service Catalog
Why it's wrong here
For provisioning, not remediation.
Common exam traps
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
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
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
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.
Security and Compliance — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Security and Compliance — This question tests Security and Compliance — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
The correct answer is: AWS Config rules with auto-remediation — Option D is correct because AWS Config with managed rules and auto-remediation can enforce encryption. Option A is wrong because IAM can deny non-encrypted put, but not remediate existing buckets. Option B is wrong because CloudTrail is for logging. Option C is wrong because Service Catalog is for provisioning approved resources.
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.
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Same concept, more angles
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 security team wants to enforce that all Amazon S3 buckets in the organization are encrypted at rest. Which actions can achieve this? (Select THREE.)
hardWhy C: You can create an SCP to deny creation of buckets without encryption, use a Config rule to detect noncompliant buckets, and use a bucket policy to deny PutObject without encryption headers. S3 Block Public Access is for preventing public access, not encryption. Cross-Region Replication does not enforce encryption.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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.
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