SAP-C02 Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions Practice Question
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of continuous improvement for existing solutions. 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 uses Amazon S3 to store sensitive data. The security team requires that all S3 buckets be encrypted at rest using SSE-KMS. The company has thousands of existing buckets, some of which are not encrypted. Which approach will enforce encryption on all buckets with minimal effort?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use an SCP to deny creation of buckets without SSE-KMS and use an AWS Config rule with remediation to enable SSE-KMS on existing buckets.
Option D is correct because an SCP can deny creation of unencrypted buckets and AWS Config can remediate existing buckets. Option A is wrong because a Lambda function is reactive, not proactive. Option B is wrong because S3 default encryption is not applied retroactively. Option C is wrong because SSE-S3 does not meet the KMS requirement.
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.
✗
Use S3 default encryption to automatically encrypt new objects.
Why it's wrong here
Default encryption applies to new objects, not existing ones.
✗
Use an AWS Config rule to check for encryption and automatically remediate by enabling SSE-S3.
Why it's wrong here
SSE-S3 is not SSE-KMS.
✓
Use an SCP to deny creation of buckets without SSE-KMS and use an AWS Config rule with remediation to enable SSE-KMS on existing buckets.
Why this is correct
SCP prevents new non-compliant buckets, Config remediates existing ones.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Create an AWS Lambda function that scans all buckets and enables encryption.
Why it's wrong here
Lambda can remediate but does not prevent new non-compliant buckets.
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.
Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — This question tests Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use an SCP to deny creation of buckets without SSE-KMS and use an AWS Config rule with remediation to enable SSE-KMS on existing buckets. — Option D is correct because an SCP can deny creation of unencrypted buckets and AWS Config can remediate existing buckets. Option A is wrong because a Lambda function is reactive, not proactive. Option B is wrong because S3 default encryption is not applied retroactively. Option C is wrong because SSE-S3 does not meet the KMS requirement.
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.
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Question Discussion
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