- A
Create an SCP that denies s3:PutObject unless encryption headers are included.
Correct. An SCP can deny s3:PutObject unless encryption headers are present using the condition key s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption, enforcing encryption on uploads across all accounts.
- B
Create an SCP that requires all objects to be uploaded with server-side encryption.
Why wrong: Incorrect. While similar to A, the phrasing 'requires all objects to be uploaded with server-side encryption' is imprecise. SCPs can only deny non-compliant requests; they cannot proactively enable encryption. Option A is the accurate action.
- C
Enable S3 Block Public Access at the account level and use a service control policy to prevent disabling it.
Why wrong: Incorrect. S3 Block Public Access only prevents public access; it does not enforce encryption. This is a common misconception.
- D
Create an SCP that denies the s3:CreateBucket action to all accounts.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Denying the s3:CreateBucket action does not enforce encryption on existing buckets and would prevent all bucket creation, which is overly restrictive.
- E
Use AWS Config rules to detect buckets without default encryption and auto-remediate with a Lambda function.
Correct. AWS Config rules can detect buckets without default encryption and trigger a Lambda function to enable it, providing continuous compliance across all accounts.
SAP-C02 Service Control Policy (SCP) Practice Question
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of design solutions for organizational complexity. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: service Control Policy (SCP). 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 100 AWS accounts in AWS Organizations. The security team wants to enforce that all Amazon S3 buckets have encryption enabled. Which TWO actions should the team take to meet this requirement? (Choose TWO.)
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
Create an SCP that denies s3:PutObject unless encryption headers are included.
Option A is correct because an SCP can deny the s3:PutObject action unless encryption headers are included, using the condition key s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption. This enforces server-side encryption on all object uploads across the organization. Option E is correct because AWS Config rules can detect S3 buckets without default encryption and trigger an auto-remediation Lambda function to enable it, ensuring compliance. Option C is incorrect because S3 Block Public Access does not enforce encryption; it only prevents public access. Option B is incorrect because SCPs cannot 'require' encryption in the sense of enabling it; they can only deny non-compliant requests, making Option A the precise action. Option D is incorrect because denying CreateBucket does not enforce encryption on existing buckets.
Key principle: Service Control Policy (SCP)
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Create an SCP that denies s3:PutObject unless encryption headers are included.
Why this is correct
Correct. An SCP can deny s3:PutObject unless encryption headers are present using the condition key s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption, enforcing encryption on uploads across all accounts.
Related concept
Service Control Policy (SCP)
- ✗
Create an SCP that requires all objects to be uploaded with server-side encryption.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. While similar to A, the phrasing 'requires all objects to be uploaded with server-side encryption' is imprecise. SCPs can only deny non-compliant requests; they cannot proactively enable encryption. Option A is the accurate action.
- ✗
Enable S3 Block Public Access at the account level and use a service control policy to prevent disabling it.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. S3 Block Public Access only prevents public access; it does not enforce encryption. This is a common misconception.
- ✗
Create an SCP that denies the s3:CreateBucket action to all accounts.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Denying the s3:CreateBucket action does not enforce encryption on existing buckets and would prevent all bucket creation, which is overly restrictive.
- ✓
Use AWS Config rules to detect buckets without default encryption and auto-remediate with a Lambda function.
Why this is correct
Correct. AWS Config rules can detect buckets without default encryption and trigger a Lambda function to enable it, providing continuous compliance across all accounts.
Related concept
Service Control Policy (SCP)
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common trap is to think that S3 Block Public Access (Option C) enforces encryption, but it only blocks public access. Encryption must be explicitly required via SCPs or Config rules.
Trap categories for this question
Similar concept trap
Incorrect. While similar to A, the phrasing 'requires all objects to be uploaded with server-side encryption' is imprecise. SCPs can only deny non-compliant requests; they cannot proactively enable encryption. Option A is the accurate action.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
S3 Block Public Access settings at the account level override any bucket-level public access settings, and an SCP can deny the s3:PutBucketPublicAccessBlock action to prevent disabling these settings. AWS Config managed rule 's3-bucket-server-side-encryption-enabled' can evaluate buckets for default encryption, and a custom Lambda function can use the PutBucketEncryption API to enable AES-256 or AWS-KMS encryption. In a multi-account environment, combining preventive controls (SCPs) with detective/remediative controls (AWS Config + Lambda) is a defense-in-depth strategy.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Service Control Policy (SCP)
- AWS Config
- Auto-remediation
TExam Day Tips
- 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
Service Control Policy (SCP)
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 service Control Policy (SCP), then practise related SAP-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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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 — Service Control Policy (SCP).
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create an SCP that denies s3:PutObject unless encryption headers are included. — Option A is correct because an SCP can deny the s3:PutObject action unless encryption headers are included, using the condition key s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption. This enforces server-side encryption on all object uploads across the organization. Option E is correct because AWS Config rules can detect S3 buckets without default encryption and trigger an auto-remediation Lambda function to enable it, ensuring compliance. Option C is incorrect because S3 Block Public Access does not enforce encryption; it only prevents public access. Option B is incorrect because SCPs cannot 'require' encryption in the sense of enabling it; they can only deny non-compliant requests, making Option A the precise action. Option D is incorrect because denying CreateBucket does not enforce encryption on existing buckets.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Review service Control Policy (SCP), then practise related SAP-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Service Control Policy (SCP)
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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