The upload fails because the Deny statement denies the request when encryption is not AES256. This occurs because the IAM policy uses a Deny effect with the condition StringNotEquals s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption to AES256, which triggers whenever the encryption header is absent or set to any value other than AES256. The Allow statement grants permission only if encryption is AES256, but since no header is specified, the Deny statement evaluates to true and blocks the request. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of IAM policy evaluation logic, specifically how explicit Deny overrides Allow and how conditions interact with missing request parameters. A common trap is assuming a missing header defaults to bucket-level encryption or that an Allow without a condition would suffice; in reality, the Deny catches all non-compliant requests. Memory tip: "No header, no pass—Deny catches the absent class."
SAP-C02 Practice Question: Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of accelerate workload migration and modernization. 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 is migrating data to Amazon S3 and requires that all objects uploaded to the bucket 'my-bucket' are encrypted with SSE-S3. The above IAM policy is attached to an IAM user. An application using the user's credentials attempts to upload an object without specifying the x-amz-server-side-encryption header. What will happen?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The upload fails because the Deny statement denies the request when encryption is not AES256.
Option D is correct. The Allow statement grants permission only if encryption is AES256. The Deny statement denies if encryption is not AES256. Since no encryption header is specified, the condition in the Deny statement evaluates to true (StringNotEquals), and the request is denied. Option A is wrong because the Deny statement explicitly denies. Option B is wrong because AES256 is required. Option C is wrong because the bucket policy does not override the IAM policy; both are evaluated.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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 upload succeeds because the Allow statement grants permission.
Why it's wrong here
The Deny statement overrides the Allow when the condition is met.
✗
The upload fails because the bucket policy overrides the IAM policy.
Why it's wrong here
The IAM policy itself causes the denial, not a bucket policy.
✓
The upload fails because the Deny statement denies the request when encryption is not AES256.
Why this is correct
The Deny statement explicitly denies PutObject if encryption is not AES256, and without the header, it is considered not AES256.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
The upload succeeds because the object is encrypted with the default SSE-S3.
Why it's wrong here
Even if default encryption is set, the IAM policy requires the header to be present; without it, the condition in Deny applies.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SAP-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — This question tests Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The upload fails because the Deny statement denies the request when encryption is not AES256. — Option D is correct. The Allow statement grants permission only if encryption is AES256. The Deny statement denies if encryption is not AES256. Since no encryption header is specified, the condition in the Deny statement evaluates to true (StringNotEquals), and the request is denied. Option A is wrong because the Deny statement explicitly denies. Option B is wrong because AES256 is required. Option C is wrong because the bucket policy does not override the IAM policy; both are evaluated.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SAP-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
This SAP-C02 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 SAP-C02 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.