- A
Keep s3:ListBucket allowed on arn:aws:s3:::customer-data, but restrict s3:GetObject to arn:aws:s3:::customer-data/exports/acme/*.
Why wrong: Restricting GetObject prevents reads outside the prefix, but allowing ListBucket on the whole bucket still lets the role enumerate object keys (for other tenants), which violates the tenant-isolation requirement.
- B
Allow s3:ListBucket on arn:aws:s3:::customer-data only when s3:prefix equals "exports/acme/" (for example, using a StringEquals condition on s3:prefix). Also allow s3:GetObject only on arn:aws:s3:::customer-data/exports/acme/*.
ListBucket must be authorized at the bucket ARN level, then scoped using a Condition on the request prefix (so only the approved listing prefix is allowed). GetObject is authorized at the object ARN level and is restricted to exports/acme/*, preventing reads outside the prefix.
- C
Allow s3:ListBucket only on arn:aws:s3:::customer-data/exports/acme/* and allow s3:GetObject on arn:aws:s3:::customer-data/*.
Why wrong: s3:ListBucket does not accept an object-style ARN as its resource. It must be granted on the bucket ARN. The GetObject scope in this option is overly broad and would allow reads outside exports/acme/.
- D
Add a Deny statement for s3:GetObject outside arn:aws:s3:::customer-data/exports/acme/*, but keep s3:ListBucket unrestricted on arn:aws:s3:::customer-data.
Why wrong: Even if GetObject is blocked for other tenants, unrestricted ListBucket still exposes object keys and folder names for other tenants, which is disallowed by the security requirement.
Quick Answer
The answer is to allow s3:ListBucket on the bucket ARN with a StringEquals condition on s3:prefix set to "exports/acme/", and to allow s3:GetObject only on the resource ARN arn:aws:s3:::customer-data/exports/acme/*. This is correct because the s3:prefix condition with StringEquals restricts the ListBucket operation to exactly that prefix, preventing the role from enumerating other tenants' objects, while the GetObject resource ARN scopes read access solely to objects within that path. On the SAA-C03 exam, this tests your understanding of S3 policy conditions for least privilege, often appearing in scenarios where a shared bucket must isolate tenant data. A common trap is using a StringLike condition instead of StringEquals, which would allow listing sub-prefixes beyond the intended scope. Remember the memory tip: "StringEquals for exact prefix, StringLike for wildcard; when least privilege is the goal, StringEquals is your control."
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 server assumes an IAM role and must read export objects only from this prefix in an S3 bucket: s3://customer-data/exports/acme/ . The application also needs to list the objects under that exact prefix so it can discover which export folders exist. The application performs ListBucket requests with Prefix set to exactly "exports/acme/".
The current role policy allows s3:ListBucket on the bucket ARN without a prefix condition, and security reports the role can list other tenants’ export object keys.
Which IAM policy change best enforces least privilege for both ListBucket and GetObject?
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.
Clue:
"least"Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
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
Allow s3:ListBucket on arn:aws:s3:::customer-data only when s3:prefix equals "exports/acme/" (for example, using a StringEquals condition on s3:prefix). Also allow s3:GetObject only on arn:aws:s3:::customer-data/exports/acme/*.
Option B is correct because it uses an s3:prefix condition with StringEquals on the ListBucket action to restrict listing to exactly 'exports/acme/', preventing the role from enumerating other tenants' objects. It also restricts GetObject to the same prefix using a resource ARN of arn:aws:s3:::customer-data/exports/acme/*, ensuring least privilege for both read operations. This combination enforces the principle of least privilege by scoping both actions to the specific tenant prefix.
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.
- ✗
Keep s3:ListBucket allowed on arn:aws:s3:::customer-data, but restrict s3:GetObject to arn:aws:s3:::customer-data/exports/acme/*.
Why it's wrong here
Restricting GetObject prevents reads outside the prefix, but allowing ListBucket on the whole bucket still lets the role enumerate object keys (for other tenants), which violates the tenant-isolation requirement.
- ✓
Allow s3:ListBucket on arn:aws:s3:::customer-data only when s3:prefix equals "exports/acme/" (for example, using a StringEquals condition on s3:prefix). Also allow s3:GetObject only on arn:aws:s3:::customer-data/exports/acme/*.
Why this is correct
ListBucket must be authorized at the bucket ARN level, then scoped using a Condition on the request prefix (so only the approved listing prefix is allowed). GetObject is authorized at the object ARN level and is restricted to exports/acme/*, preventing reads outside the prefix.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Allow s3:ListBucket only on arn:aws:s3:::customer-data/exports/acme/* and allow s3:GetObject on arn:aws:s3:::customer-data/*.
Why it's wrong here
s3:ListBucket does not accept an object-style ARN as its resource. It must be granted on the bucket ARN. The GetObject scope in this option is overly broad and would allow reads outside exports/acme/.
- ✗
Add a Deny statement for s3:GetObject outside arn:aws:s3:::customer-data/exports/acme/*, but keep s3:ListBucket unrestricted on arn:aws:s3:::customer-data.
Why it's wrong here
Even if GetObject is blocked for other tenants, unrestricted ListBucket still exposes object keys and folder names for other tenants, which is disallowed by the security requirement.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse bucket-level actions (like s3:ListBucket) with object-level actions (like s3:GetObject), incorrectly applying resource ARNs with key prefixes to ListBucket, or forgetting that a condition on s3:prefix is required to scope listing to a specific prefix.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The s3:prefix condition key is evaluated at request time against the Prefix parameter of the ListBucket (or ListObjectsV2) API call. Using StringEquals ensures an exact match, whereas StringLike would allow wildcards; here, the application sends Prefix='exports/acme/', so StringEquals is appropriate. Note that s3:ListBucket is a bucket-level action, so it must be allowed on the bucket ARN (arn:aws:s3:::customer-data) with conditions, not on an object ARN. GetObject is an object-level action and can be restricted to a specific prefix using the resource ARN with a wildcard (e.g., arn:aws:s3:::customer-data/exports/acme/*).
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: Allow s3:ListBucket on arn:aws:s3:::customer-data only when s3:prefix equals "exports/acme/" (for example, using a StringEquals condition on s3:prefix). Also allow s3:GetObject only on arn:aws:s3:::customer-data/exports/acme/*. — Option B is correct because it uses an s3:prefix condition with StringEquals on the ListBucket action to restrict listing to exactly 'exports/acme/', preventing the role from enumerating other tenants' objects. It also restricts GetObject to the same prefix using a resource ARN of arn:aws:s3:::customer-data/exports/acme/*, ensuring least privilege for both read operations. This combination enforces the principle of least privilege by scoping both actions to the specific tenant prefix.
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", "least". 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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