The correct answer is that the role must use SSE-KMS when writing objects, and reading is allowed only if the object is encrypted with SSE-KMS. This is because the IAM policy enforcing SSE-KMS encryption for S3 PutObject uses a conditional deny: the first statement grants PutObject and GetObject only when the `s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption-aws-kms-key-id` condition is present, while the second statement explicitly denies PutObject if SSE-KMS is not used, creating a double lock that forces encryption on writes. On the AWS Certified Machine Learning Specialty MLS-C01 exam, this pattern tests your ability to distinguish between an allow-with-condition and a deny-without-condition—a common trap is assuming the first statement alone is sufficient, but the explicit deny is what actually enforces compliance. Remember the mnemonic: “Allow with a key, deny without it—writes are locked, reads are filtered.”
MLS-C01 Data Engineering Practice Question
This MLS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data engineering. 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 IAM policy is attached to a data engineering role that writes to an S3 bucket. The policy is shown in the exhibit. What is the effect of this policy?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The role must use SSE-KMS when writing objects; reading is allowed only if the object is encrypted with SSE-KMS
Option B is correct because the first statement allows GetObject and PutObject only when SSE-KMS is used; the second statement denies PutObject if SSE-KMS is not used, effectively enforcing SSE-KMS for PutObject. Option A is wrong because the policy allows PutObject with SSE-KMS. Option C is wrong because GetObject is allowed with SSE-KMS. Option D is wrong because the policy never denies GetObject.
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.
✗
The role can write objects with any encryption, but reading is restricted to SSE-KMS only
Why it's wrong here
The Deny statement prevents writing without SSE-KMS.
✗
The role can read and write any object without encryption restrictions
Why it's wrong here
The policy restricts both read and write to SSE-KMS encrypted objects.
✗
The role can only read objects; writing is always denied
Why it's wrong here
The first statement allows PutObject with SSE-KMS, so writing is not always denied.
✓
The role must use SSE-KMS when writing objects; reading is allowed only if the object is encrypted with SSE-KMS
Why this is correct
The Allow statement grants GetObject only when SSE-KMS is specified, and the Deny statement enforces SSE-KMS for PutObject.
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 MLS-C01 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.
Data Engineering — This question tests Data Engineering — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The role must use SSE-KMS when writing objects; reading is allowed only if the object is encrypted with SSE-KMS — Option B is correct because the first statement allows GetObject and PutObject only when SSE-KMS is used; the second statement denies PutObject if SSE-KMS is not used, effectively enforcing SSE-KMS for PutObject. Option A is wrong because the policy allows PutObject with SSE-KMS. Option C is wrong because GetObject is allowed with SSE-KMS. Option D is wrong because the policy never denies GetObject.
What should I do if I get this MLS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which MLS-C01 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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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.
Question Discussion
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