- A
Set up an automatic remediation action using AWS Config to enable encryption on non-compliant buckets.
Remediation can auto-fix violations detected by Config rules.
- B
Attach an IAM policy to each account's root user.
Why wrong: IAM policies don't enforce across all users; also not scalable.
- C
Create a Service Control Policy (SCP) that denies creating S3 buckets without encryption.
SCPs prevent non-compliant actions at the OU level.
- D
Define an AWS Config rule to check that S3 buckets have encryption enabled.
Config rules evaluate resources and report compliance.
- E
Enable AWS CloudTrail to log all S3 API calls.
Why wrong: Logging does not enforce encryption.
Question 1,357 of 1,746
SAP-C02 Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions Practice Question
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 uses AWS Control Tower to manage a multi-account environment. The security team wants to ensure that all accounts conform to a set of baseline rules, including encryption at rest for S3 buckets. Which THREE steps should the team take to implement this control? (Choose THREE.)
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
✓
Set up an automatic remediation action using AWS Config to enable encryption on non-compliant buckets.
Option A is correct because AWS Config can be configured with automatic remediation actions (e.g., using AWS Systems Manager Automation) to enable encryption on S3 buckets that are found non-compliant. Option C is correct because a Service Control Policy (SCP) can be applied to organizational units (OUs) in AWS Control Tower to deny the creation of S3 buckets without encryption, providing preventive governance. Option D is correct because an AWS Config rule can be defined to evaluate whether S3 buckets have encryption enabled, alerting on non-compliance. Option B is incorrect because IAM policies attached to the root user are not effective for enforcing baseline rules across multiple accounts; SCPs are designed for that purpose. Option E is incorrect because AWS CloudTrail only logs API calls for auditing and does not enforce or remediate compliance; it is not a control mechanism for ensuring encryption at rest.
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.
- ✓
Set up an automatic remediation action using AWS Config to enable encryption on non-compliant buckets.
Why this is correct
Remediation can auto-fix violations detected by Config rules.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Attach an IAM policy to each account's root user.
Why it's wrong here
IAM policies don't enforce across all users; also not scalable.
- ✓
Create a Service Control Policy (SCP) that denies creating S3 buckets without encryption.
Why this is correct
SCPs prevent non-compliant actions at the OU level.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✓
Define an AWS Config rule to check that S3 buckets have encryption enabled.
Why this is correct
Config rules evaluate resources and report compliance.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Enable AWS CloudTrail to log all S3 API calls.
Why it's wrong here
Logging does not enforce encryption.
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.
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
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SAP-C02 question test?
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: Set up an automatic remediation action using AWS Config to enable encryption on non-compliant buckets. — Option A is correct because AWS Config can be configured with automatic remediation actions (e.g., using AWS Systems Manager Automation) to enable encryption on S3 buckets that are found non-compliant. Option C is correct because a Service Control Policy (SCP) can be applied to organizational units (OUs) in AWS Control Tower to deny the creation of S3 buckets without encryption, providing preventive governance. Option D is correct because an AWS Config rule can be defined to evaluate whether S3 buckets have encryption enabled, alerting on non-compliance. Option B is incorrect because IAM policies attached to the root user are not effective for enforcing baseline rules across multiple accounts; SCPs are designed for that purpose. Option E is incorrect because AWS CloudTrail only logs API calls for auditing and does not enforce or remediate compliance; it is not a control mechanism for ensuring encryption at rest.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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