The answer is to add an S3 bucket policy that denies PutObject if the x-amz-server-side-encryption header is not set to aws:kms. This works because bucket policies are evaluated at the time of the upload request, allowing you to enforce SSE-KMS encryption for all future S3 uploads by rejecting any request that lacks the required encryption header, regardless of how the upload is initiated. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the critical difference between default encryption, which can be overridden by explicit headers, and a bucket policy, which provides mandatory enforcement. A common trap is choosing default encryption, but that only applies when no header is present and does not prevent a user from uploading unencrypted objects by explicitly omitting the header. Remember the memory tip: “Policy to police, default is just a suggestion.”
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 stores sensitive data in an S3 bucket. The security team requires that all data be encrypted at rest using server-side encryption with AWS KMS (SSE-KMS). An audit reveals that some objects were uploaded without encryption. What is the MOST efficient way to enforce encryption for all future uploads?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add a bucket policy that denies PutObject if the x-amz-server-side-encryption header is not set.
Option C is correct because an S3 bucket policy that denies PutObject without the correct encryption header enforces encryption at upload time. Option A is wrong because default encryption applies only if no encryption header is provided; it can be overridden. Option B is wrong because it only encrypts existing objects, not future ones. Option D is wrong because CloudTrail does not enforce 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.
✗
Enable default encryption on the bucket.
Why it's wrong here
Default encryption can be overridden by requests that specify no encryption.
✗
Use S3 Batch Operations to encrypt existing objects.
Why it's wrong here
This addresses existing objects, not future uploads.
✓
Add a bucket policy that denies PutObject if the x-amz-server-side-encryption header is not set.
Why this is correct
This enforces encryption for all future uploads.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable AWS CloudTrail to monitor uploads without encryption.
Why it's wrong here
Monitoring does not enforce encryption.
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.
Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — This question tests Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add a bucket policy that denies PutObject if the x-amz-server-side-encryption header is not set. — Option C is correct because an S3 bucket policy that denies PutObject without the correct encryption header enforces encryption at upload time. Option A is wrong because default encryption applies only if no encryption header is provided; it can be overridden. Option B is wrong because it only encrypts existing objects, not future ones. Option D is wrong because CloudTrail does not enforce 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.
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 →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company's security team wants to ensure that all S3 buckets are encrypted at rest. They have thousands of existing buckets. Which approach should a Solutions Architect use to identify noncompliant buckets?
easy
A.Use AWS Trusted Advisor to check bucket encryption.
B.Analyze AWS CloudTrail logs for PutBucketEncryption API calls.
C.Enable S3 Inventory to list all objects and their encryption status.
✓ D.Create an AWS Config rule to evaluate S3 bucket encryption settings.
Why D: Option B is correct because AWS Config has managed rules to check S3 bucket encryption. Option A is wrong because Trusted Advisor checks only a subset of buckets. Option C is wrong because S3 Inventory provides object metadata, not encryption status. Option D is wrong because CloudTrail logs API calls, not current state.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
Question Discussion
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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.
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