- 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.
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:
"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.
When this WOULD be correct
If the application only needed to read objects under the prefix and did not require ListBucket at all, or if the ListBucket permission was granted via a separate policy that already enforced the prefix condition, then restricting only GetObject would be sufficient.
- ✓
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 word "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/.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question required restricting both ListBucket and GetObject to a specific prefix using resource-based policies (e.g., bucket policy) where ListBucket can be scoped to a prefix via the resource element in some services, but in IAM policies for S3, ListBucket must target the bucket ARN and use condition keys.
- ✗
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.
When this WOULD be correct
If the requirement was to allow listing all objects in the bucket (e.g., for administrative purposes) but restrict GetObject to a specific prefix, then a Deny for GetObject outside that prefix combined with unrestricted ListBucket would be appropriate.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The SAA-C03 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓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/*.Correct answer▾
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.
✗Keep s3:ListBucket allowed on arn:aws:s3:::customer-data, but restrict s3:GetObject to arn:aws:s3:::customer-data/exports/acme/*.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option does not restrict s3:ListBucket to the specific prefix, so the role can still list objects under other prefixes (e.g., other tenants' exports), violating least privilege.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the application only needed to read objects under the prefix and did not require ListBucket at all, or if the ListBucket permission was granted via a separate policy that already enforced the prefix condition, then restricting only GetObject would be sufficient.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may focus on the GetObject restriction and overlook that ListBucket without a prefix condition still exposes object keys under other prefixes, assuming that restricting GetObject alone is enough to enforce least privilege.
✗Allow s3:ListBucket only on arn:aws:s3:::customer-data/exports/acme/* and allow s3:GetObject on arn:aws:s3:::customer-data/*.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Option C incorrectly applies s3:ListBucket to an object ARN (arn:aws:s3:::customer-data/exports/acme/*), but ListBucket operates on bucket ARNs, not object ARNs. The condition on prefix must be specified via a condition key, not the resource ARN.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question required restricting both ListBucket and GetObject to a specific prefix using resource-based policies (e.g., bucket policy) where ListBucket can be scoped to a prefix via the resource element in some services, but in IAM policies for S3, ListBucket must target the bucket ARN and use condition keys.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates mistakenly think that ListBucket can be scoped to a subdirectory by using an object ARN, similar to GetObject, not realizing that ListBucket always applies to the entire bucket and must use condition keys for prefix restriction.
✗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.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Option D does not restrict s3:ListBucket, so the role can still list objects under other prefixes (e.g., other tenants' exports), violating least privilege.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the requirement was to allow listing all objects in the bucket (e.g., for administrative purposes) but restrict GetObject to a specific prefix, then a Deny for GetObject outside that prefix combined with unrestricted ListBucket would be appropriate.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think that a Deny statement for GetObject is sufficient to prevent unauthorized reads, overlooking that ListBucket also exposes object keys, which is a security concern.
Analysis generated from the official SAA-C03blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
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.
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 |
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: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
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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