MLS-C01 Exploratory Data Analysis Practice Question
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```
{
"Version": "2012-10-17",
"Statement": [
{
"Effect": "Allow",
"Action": [
"s3:GetObject",
"s3:ListBucket"
],
"Resource": [
"arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket",
"arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket/*"
]
},
{
"Effect": "Deny",
"Action": "s3:*",
"Resource": "arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket/confidential/*",
"Condition": {
"StringNotEquals": {
"aws:sourceVpce": "vpce-12345678"
}
}
}
]
}
```A data scientist is troubleshooting access to an S3 bucket. The following IAM policy is attached to their role. What is the likely result when they try to list objects in the 'confidential' folder?
```json
{
"Version": "2012-10-17",
"Statement": [
{
"Effect": "Allow",
"Action": "s3:ListBucket",
"Resource": "arn:aws:s3:::example-bucket"
},
{
"Effect": "Deny",
"Action": "s3:*",
"Resource": "arn:aws:s3:::example-bucket/confidential/*",
"Condition": {
"StringNotEquals": {"aws:SourceVpce": "vpce-12345678"
}
}
}
]
}```
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Access is denied if the request does not originate from the specified VPC endpoint.
The Deny statement explicitly denies s3:* actions on the `confidential` folder unless the request originates from the specified VPC endpoint (using the `aws:SourceVpce` condition). If the request does not come from that VPC endpoint, it will be denied. Option A is wrong because the Deny overrides the Allow. Option B is wrong because the Deny is conditional, not unconditional. Option C is wrong because the condition is about the VPC endpoint, not the use of HTTPS.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Access is allowed because the Allow statement grants s3:ListBucket.
Why it's wrong here
The Deny statement overrides the Allow for the confidential folder.
- ✗
Access is denied unconditionally.
Why it's wrong here
Denial is conditional on the source VPC endpoint.
- ✗
Access is allowed only if the request uses HTTPS.
Why it's wrong here
The condition is about VPC endpoint, not HTTPS.
- ✓
Access is denied if the request does not originate from the specified VPC endpoint.
Why this is correct
The condition requires the request to come from vpce-12345678 to allow access.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 1,672 original MLS-C01 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This MLS-C01 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 MLS-C01 exam.