Quick Answer
The answer is AWS CloudTrail, because it is the only service that logs all API calls made to an S3 bucket, including the critical KMS Decrypt requests required when accessing objects encrypted with SSE-KMS. CloudTrail captures every management and data event, such as GetObject, PutObject, and the associated KMS operations, providing a complete audit trail of who accessed the bucket, when, and from which IP address. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between logging services: AWS Config tracks resource configuration changes, not access; VPC Flow Logs monitor network traffic, not API calls; and CloudWatch Logs can store logs but cannot generate them from S3 access. A common trap is confusing CloudTrail with CloudWatch Logs—remember that CloudTrail is the auditor that records the action, while CloudWatch Logs is the storage bin. Memory tip: “CloudTrail tracks the trail of API calls, not the trail of network packets.”
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of continuous improvement for existing solutions. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 stores sensitive data in an S3 bucket encrypted with SSE-KMS. They need to audit all access requests to the bucket. Which AWS service should they use?
VPC Flow Logs
Why wrong: Flow Logs capture network traffic, not API calls.
Amazon CloudWatch Logs
Why wrong: CloudWatch Logs can store logs but doesn't generate them from S3 access.
AWS Config
Why wrong: Config records configuration changes, not access.
AWS CloudTrail
CloudTrail logs all S3 data plane and control plane operations.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AWS CloudTrail
Option C is correct because AWS CloudTrail logs all API calls to S3, including KMS decrypt calls. Option A is wrong because AWS Config records resource configuration, not access. Option B is wrong because VPC Flow Logs track network traffic, not API calls. Option D is wrong because CloudWatch Logs can store logs but not generate them from S3 access.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
VPC Flow Logs
Why it's wrong here
Flow Logs capture network traffic, not API calls.
Amazon CloudWatch Logs
Why it's wrong here
CloudWatch Logs can store logs but doesn't generate them from S3 access.
AWS Config
Why it's wrong here
Config records configuration changes, not access.
AWS CloudTrail
Why this is correct
CloudTrail logs all S3 data plane and control plane operations.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which SAP-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — This question tests Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: AWS CloudTrail — Option C is correct because AWS CloudTrail logs all API calls to S3, including KMS decrypt calls. Option A is wrong because AWS Config records resource configuration, not access. Option B is wrong because VPC Flow Logs track network traffic, not API calls. Option D is wrong because CloudWatch Logs can store logs but not generate them from S3 access.
Identify which SAP-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company stores sensitive data in an S3 bucket. The security team requires that all data be encrypted at rest and that the encryption keys be rotated automatically every year. The company also needs to audit who accessed the key and when. Which THREE services should the solutions architect use to meet these requirements?
mediumWhy A: Options A, C, and D are correct. AWS KMS provides managed keys with automatic annual rotation. AWS CloudTrail logs KMS API calls for auditing. S3 uses server-side encryption with KMS keys (SSE-KMS). Option B is wrong because S3 SSE-S3 uses S3-managed keys, not customer-controlled. Option E is wrong because IAM is for access control, not encryption key management.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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.
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