The answer is to use a service control policy (SCP) to deny s3:PutBucketEncryption if the encryption is not the specified KMS key. This is correct because SCPs operate at the AWS Organizations root or OU level, allowing you to centrally enforce S3 bucket encryption with a KMS key across all accounts without relying on individual IAM policies or post-creation detection. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of preventive versus detective controls—Config rules only detect non-compliance, while SCPs proactively block non-compliant actions. A common trap is choosing IAM policies, which must be attached per principal and cannot enforce organization-wide rules. Memory tip: SCPs are the "bouncer" at the door, not the "camera" watching after the fact.
SAP-C02 Design for New Solutions Practice Question
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of design for new 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 has a multi-account AWS organization. The security team wants to centrally manage and enforce that all S3 buckets are encrypted with a specific KMS key. Which approach should the architect recommend?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use a service control policy (SCP) to deny s3:PutBucketEncryption if the encryption is not the specified KMS key
Using SCPs in AWS Organizations allows the security team to deny creation of buckets that do not use the required KMS key. Option A (IAM policies) must be attached to each user/role, not centralized. Option C (Config rules) only detects non-compliance, does not enforce. Option D (Trusted Advisor) provides recommendations only.
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 a service control policy (SCP) to deny s3:PutBucketEncryption if the encryption is not the specified KMS key
Why this is correct
SCPs enforce across all accounts in the organization.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Use AWS Trusted Advisor to check bucket encryption
Why it's wrong here
Only provides recommendations, not enforcement.
✗
Create an IAM policy that denies s3:PutObject unless the request includes the specific KMS key, and attach it to all users
Why it's wrong here
Does not cover bucket creation; not centralized.
✗
Use AWS Config rules to detect non-compliant buckets and send alerts
Why it's wrong here
Detection only, not enforcement.
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.
Design for New Solutions — This question tests Design for New Solutions — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a service control policy (SCP) to deny s3:PutBucketEncryption if the encryption is not the specified KMS key — Using SCPs in AWS Organizations allows the security team to deny creation of buckets that do not use the required KMS key. Option A (IAM policies) must be attached to each user/role, not centralized. Option C (Config rules) only detects non-compliance, does not enforce. Option D (Trusted Advisor) provides recommendations only.
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.