- A
Enable encryption on VPC Flow Logs using a KMS key in each account and aggregate logs using AWS Logs cross-account subscription.
Why wrong: Cross-account subscription is complex and not directly to S3.
- B
Create a centralized S3 bucket with default encryption using a KMS CMK and a bucket policy that allows cross-account writes from the source accounts.
This ensures encryption and centralized logging.
- C
Create a bucket with SSE-S3 encryption and have each account write flow logs directly.
Why wrong: SSE-S3 uses Amazon S3-managed keys, not a CMK.
- D
Use a single bucket with a bucket policy that denies access unless encryption headers are present, and use a KMS key shared across accounts.
Why wrong: This does not ensure encryption at rest, only enforces headers.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to create a centralized S3 bucket with default encryption using a KMS CMK and a bucket policy that allows cross-account writes from the source accounts. This approach works because VPC Flow Logs are delivered directly to S3, and the bucket policy grants the necessary permissions for source accounts to write objects, while the KMS CMK ensures encryption at rest is enforced uniformly without relying on per-flow-log settings. On the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty ANS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of centralized logging architectures and the distinction between bucket-level encryption and flow log-level encryption—a common trap is choosing SSE-S3 or enabling encryption at the flow log level, which does not meet the requirement for a customer-managed key. Remember the memory tip: “Bucket policy for access, KMS for encryption—never mix the two controls.”
ANS-C01 Network Management and Operations Practice Question
This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network management and operations. 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 wants to centralize logging of VPC Flow Logs from multiple accounts into a single Amazon S3 bucket. The logs must be encrypted at rest using an AWS KMS CMK. What is the recommended approach?
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
Create a centralized S3 bucket with default encryption using a KMS CMK and a bucket policy that allows cross-account writes from the source accounts.
Option D is correct because using a centralized S3 bucket with appropriate bucket policies to allow cross-account writes and enabling default encryption with a KMS CMK is the best practice. Option A is wrong because SSE-S3 is not a CMK. Option B is wrong because enabling encryption at the flow log level uses SSE-S3 or CloudWatch Logs encryption, not S3 bucket encryption. Option C is wrong because bucket policies control access, not encryption.
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.
- ✗
Enable encryption on VPC Flow Logs using a KMS key in each account and aggregate logs using AWS Logs cross-account subscription.
Why it's wrong here
Cross-account subscription is complex and not directly to S3.
- ✓
Create a centralized S3 bucket with default encryption using a KMS CMK and a bucket policy that allows cross-account writes from the source accounts.
Why this is correct
This ensures encryption and centralized logging.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Create a bucket with SSE-S3 encryption and have each account write flow logs directly.
Why it's wrong here
SSE-S3 uses Amazon S3-managed keys, not a CMK.
- ✗
Use a single bucket with a bucket policy that denies access unless encryption headers are present, and use a KMS key shared across accounts.
Why it's wrong here
This does not ensure encryption at rest, only enforces headers.
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 ANS-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.
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Network Management and Operations — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this ANS-C01 question test?
Network Management and Operations — This question tests Network Management and Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a centralized S3 bucket with default encryption using a KMS CMK and a bucket policy that allows cross-account writes from the source accounts. — Option D is correct because using a centralized S3 bucket with appropriate bucket policies to allow cross-account writes and enabling default encryption with a KMS CMK is the best practice. Option A is wrong because SSE-S3 is not a CMK. Option B is wrong because enabling encryption at the flow log level uses SSE-S3 or CloudWatch Logs encryption, not S3 bucket encryption. Option C is wrong because bucket policies control access, not encryption.
What should I do if I get this ANS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which ANS-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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This ANS-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 ANS-C01 exam.
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