- A
Set the bucket policy to allow the source accounts to write logs, and enable default encryption on the bucket with the KMS key.
Why wrong: Default encryption alone does not grant the log delivery service access to use the KMS key.
- B
Use a bucket policy in the logging account that grants the S3 log delivery service principal access to write objects, and configure the KMS key policy to allow the log delivery service to use the key.
The S3 logging service uses the log delivery group (log-delivery.log.amazonaws.com) and needs both bucket policy and KMS key policy permissions.
- C
Create an IAM role in the logging account and allow the source accounts to assume it, then configure the source accounts to use that role for logging.
Why wrong: S3 server access logging does not support assuming roles; it uses the bucket policy.
- D
Configure the logging account's KMS key with a policy that allows the S3 service to use it, and set the bucket policy to allow the source accounts to write logs.
Why wrong: The S3 logging service uses the bucket owner's permissions, not the source account's.
Quick Answer
The answer is to use a bucket policy in the logging account that grants the S3 log delivery service principal access to write objects, paired with a KMS key policy that explicitly allows that same service principal to use the key. This works because S3 server access logs are delivered by a special AWS service principal, not by a user or role from the source account, so the bucket policy must authorize that principal directly, and the KMS key policy must independently grant the `kms:GenerateDataKey` and `kms:Decrypt` permissions to the same principal for encryption. On the SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of service-linked principals versus cross-account IAM roles—a common trap is assuming a role from the source account can write logs, but the logging service operates as itself. Remember the mnemonic: “Service writes, key permits”—the bucket policy lets the service write, and the key policy lets the service encrypt.
SAP-C02 Practice Question: Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of design solutions for organizational complexity. 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 multiple AWS accounts and wants to centralize logging from all accounts to a single S3 bucket in a logging account. The logs must be encrypted with a KMS key managed by the logging account. What is the MOST secure way to allow cross-account S3 server access logs?
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
Use a bucket policy in the logging account that grants the S3 log delivery service principal access to write objects, and configure the KMS key policy to allow the log delivery service to use the key.
Option C is correct because the S3 bucket policy can grant cross-account permissions to the logging service principal, and the logging account's KMS key policy must allow the log delivery service to use the key. Option A is wrong because KMS key policies must explicitly allow the service to use the key. Option B is wrong because cross-account roles are not automatically used by S3 logging. Option D is wrong because the bucket policy alone does not handle KMS encryption.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 the bucket policy to allow the source accounts to write logs, and enable default encryption on the bucket with the KMS key.
Why it's wrong here
Default encryption alone does not grant the log delivery service access to use the KMS key.
- ✓
Use a bucket policy in the logging account that grants the S3 log delivery service principal access to write objects, and configure the KMS key policy to allow the log delivery service to use the key.
Why this is correct
The S3 logging service uses the log delivery group (log-delivery.log.amazonaws.com) and needs both bucket policy and KMS key policy permissions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Create an IAM role in the logging account and allow the source accounts to assume it, then configure the source accounts to use that role for logging.
Why it's wrong here
S3 server access logging does not support assuming roles; it uses the bucket policy.
- ✗
Configure the logging account's KMS key with a policy that allows the S3 service to use it, and set the bucket policy to allow the source accounts to write logs.
Why it's wrong here
The S3 logging service uses the bucket owner's permissions, not the source account's.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
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.
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Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SAP-C02 question test?
Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity — This question tests Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a bucket policy in the logging account that grants the S3 log delivery service principal access to write objects, and configure the KMS key policy to allow the log delivery service to use the key. — Option C is correct because the S3 bucket policy can grant cross-account permissions to the logging service principal, and the logging account's KMS key policy must allow the log delivery service to use the key. Option A is wrong because KMS key policies must explicitly allow the service to use the key. Option B is wrong because cross-account roles are not automatically used by S3 logging. Option D is wrong because the bucket policy alone does not handle KMS encryption.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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