SAP-C02 Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions Practice Question
A company is using Amazon S3 to store sensitive data. The security team wants to ensure that all objects are encrypted at rest. The company currently uses server-side encryption with S3 managed keys (SSE-S3). The team wants to enforce encryption using a customer-managed key (CMK) from AWS KMS. Which TWO actions should the team take?
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
✓
Configure a bucket policy that denies PutObject if the x-amz-server-side-encryption header is not set to 'aws:kms'.
(bucket policy denying PutObject without x-amz-server-side-encryption header set to 'aws:kms') enforces that all uploads must specify SSE-KMS at the request level. Option C (default encryption with SSE-KMS) ensures that objects uploaded without encryption headers are automatically encrypted with a KMS key. Together, they enforce encryption with customer-managed KMS keys. Option B (CloudTrail auditing) logs requests but does not enforce encryption. Option D (bucket policy allowing PutObject only if encrypted) allows any encryption type, not specifically KMS, so it does not enforce customer-managed keys. Option E (disabling SSE-S3) is not possible; you cannot disable SSE-S3, only set default encryption, and it would not enforce KMS alone.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Configure a bucket policy that denies PutObject if the x-amz-server-side-encryption header is not set to 'aws:kms'.
Why this is correct
Correct. Denies PutObject if x-amz-server-side-encryption header is not set to 'aws:kms', enforcing SSE-KMS.
- ✗
Enable AWS CloudTrail to audit all PutObject requests.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. CloudTrail auditing logs requests but does not enforce encryption.
- ✓
Enable default encryption on the bucket with AWS KMS (SSE-KMS) as the encryption type.
Why this is correct
Correct. Default encryption with SSE-KMS ensures objects uploaded without encryption headers are encrypted with KMS.
- ✗
Configure a bucket policy that allows PutObject only if the object is encrypted.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. This policy allows PutObject only if encrypted, but allows any encryption type, not specifically KMS.
- ✗
Disable SSE-S3 on the bucket so that only SSE-KMS can be used.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Disabling SSE-S3 is not possible; you cannot disable it, and it would not enforce KMS alone.
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 |
Go deeper
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.