- A
Use a Deny statement for s3:PutObject with a condition that denies requests where s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption is not "aws:kms" (SSE-KMS), for example: Condition { StringNotEquals: { "s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption": "aws:kms" } }
This directly checks the SSE encryption header used in the PutObject request. If a client uploads without SSE-KMS (for example, no encryption header or SSE-S3/AES256), the condition evaluates to true and the Deny prevents the upload.
- B
Use a Deny statement that denies requests when aws:SecureTransport is false.
Why wrong: aws:SecureTransport only enforces encryption in transit (HTTPS). It does not ensure objects are encrypted at rest in S3 using SSE-KMS.
- C
Use a Deny statement that checks the specific KMS key ID (s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption-aws-kms-key-id) and denies requests that don’t match a single alias value.
Why wrong: This enforces use of one particular KMS key/alias, which is more restrictive than the requirement (the requirement is only to use SSE-KMS, not a specific key). The best answer should enforce SSE-KMS generally, not a specific key identity.
- D
Use a Deny or Allow statement that limits object keys using s3:prefix (for example, only allow keys under "reports/").
Why wrong: Key prefix restrictions control object naming/path, not whether the uploaded object is encrypted at rest with SSE-KMS.
Quick Answer
The answer is to use a Deny statement with a condition that checks the `s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption` request header is not equal to `aws:kms`. This works because S3 bucket policies evaluate conditions at the time of the request; by applying `StringNotEquals` to that header, any `s3:PutObject` request that omits the header or sets it to a value like `AES256` is immediately denied, effectively enforcing SSE-KMS encryption on all uploads. On the SAA-C03 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to combine service-specific condition keys with explicit Deny logic—a common trap is using `StringEquals` in a Deny, which would only block requests with that exact value, or mistakenly using an Allow statement that doesn’t prevent non-compliant uploads. Remember the key distinction: Deny with `StringNotEquals` blocks everything except the specified value, while Allow with `StringEquals` permits only that value but does not override a broader Allow. A helpful memory tip is “Deny the Not-KMS” to recall that you deny what is not equal to `aws:kms`.
SAA-C03 Design Secure Architectures Practice Question
This SAA-C03 practice question tests your understanding of design secure architectures. 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 has an Amazon S3 bucket for sensitive reports. They must ensure that any object uploaded with s3:PutObject is encrypted using AWS KMS (SSE-KMS). Which S3 bucket policy approach best enforces this by denying uploads that do not use SSE-KMS?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Use a Deny statement for s3:PutObject with a condition that denies requests where s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption is not "aws:kms" (SSE-KMS), for example: Condition { StringNotEquals: { "s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption": "aws:kms" } }
Option A is correct because it uses a Deny statement with the condition `StringNotEquals` on the `s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption` request header, which explicitly denies any `s3:PutObject` request that does not include the value `aws:kms` for that header. This ensures that only objects encrypted with SSE-KMS are uploaded, as any request lacking the header or using a different encryption type (e.g., AES256) will be denied. The condition is evaluated at the time of the request, making it an effective enforcement mechanism.
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.
- ✓
Use a Deny statement for s3:PutObject with a condition that denies requests where s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption is not "aws:kms" (SSE-KMS), for example: Condition { StringNotEquals: { "s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption": "aws:kms" } }
Why this is correct
This directly checks the SSE encryption header used in the PutObject request. If a client uploads without SSE-KMS (for example, no encryption header or SSE-S3/AES256), the condition evaluates to true and the Deny prevents the upload.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use a Deny statement that denies requests when aws:SecureTransport is false.
- ✗
Use a Deny statement that checks the specific KMS key ID (s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption-aws-kms-key-id) and denies requests that don’t match a single alias value.
Why it's wrong here
This enforces use of one particular KMS key/alias, which is more restrictive than the requirement (the requirement is only to use SSE-KMS, not a specific key). The best answer should enforce SSE-KMS generally, not a specific key identity.
- ✗
Use a Deny or Allow statement that limits object keys using s3:prefix (for example, only allow keys under "reports/").
Why it's wrong here
Key prefix restrictions control object naming/path, not whether the uploaded object is encrypted at rest with SSE-KMS.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse encryption in transit (HTTPS) with encryption at rest (SSE), leading them to pick Option B, which only ensures secure transport but does not enforce server-side encryption with KMS.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption` header is a request header that the client sets to specify the desired server-side encryption type; valid values are `AES256` (SSE-S3) and `aws:kms` (SSE-KMS). When using a Deny with `StringNotEquals`, the policy evaluates to true (and denies the request) if the header value is anything other than `aws:kms`, including if the header is absent entirely—this is because `StringNotEquals` treats a missing header as not equal to the specified value. This approach is preferred over an Allow with `StringEquals` because it explicitly blocks non-compliant requests without relying on an explicit Allow for every other action.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SAA-C03 question test?
Design Secure Architectures — This question tests Design Secure Architectures — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a Deny statement for s3:PutObject with a condition that denies requests where s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption is not "aws:kms" (SSE-KMS), for example: Condition { StringNotEquals: { "s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption": "aws:kms" } } — Option A is correct because it uses a Deny statement with the condition `StringNotEquals` on the `s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption` request header, which explicitly denies any `s3:PutObject` request that does not include the value `aws:kms` for that header. This ensures that only objects encrypted with SSE-KMS are uploaded, as any request lacking the header or using a different encryption type (e.g., AES256) will be denied. The condition is evaluated at the time of the request, making it an effective enforcement mechanism.
What should I do if I get this SAA-C03 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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