- A
Use S3 default encryption to automatically encrypt new objects.
Why wrong: Default encryption applies to new objects, not existing ones.
- B
Use an AWS Config rule to check for encryption and automatically remediate by enabling SSE-S3.
Why wrong: SSE-S3 is not SSE-KMS.
- C
Use an SCP to deny creation of buckets without SSE-KMS and use an AWS Config rule with remediation to enable SSE-KMS on existing buckets.
SCP prevents new non-compliant buckets, Config remediates existing ones.
- D
Create an AWS Lambda function that scans all buckets and enables encryption.
Why wrong: Lambda can remediate but does not prevent new non-compliant buckets.
Question 1,490 of 1,746
Enforcing SSE-KMS on All S3 Buckets
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 uses Amazon S3 to store sensitive data. The security team requires that all S3 buckets be encrypted at rest using SSE-KMS. The company has thousands of existing buckets, some of which are not encrypted. Which approach will enforce encryption on all buckets with minimal effort?
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 an SCP to deny creation of buckets without SSE-KMS and use an AWS Config rule with remediation to enable SSE-KMS on existing buckets.
Option C is correct because an SCP can deny creation of buckets without SSE-KMS, and AWS Config with automatic remediation can enable SSE-KMS on existing buckets. Option A is wrong because S3 default encryption only encrypts new objects, not existing ones. Option B is wrong because SSE-S3 does not meet the KMS requirement. Option D is wrong because a Lambda function is reactive and requires custom code, whereas the combination of SCP and Config provides a more scalable and policy-driven approach.
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 S3 default encryption to automatically encrypt new objects.
Why it's wrong here
Default encryption applies to new objects, not existing ones.
- ✗
Use an AWS Config rule to check for encryption and automatically remediate by enabling SSE-S3.
Why it's wrong here
SSE-S3 is not SSE-KMS.
- ✓
Use an SCP to deny creation of buckets without SSE-KMS and use an AWS Config rule with remediation to enable SSE-KMS on existing buckets.
Why this is correct
SCP prevents new non-compliant buckets, Config remediates existing ones.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Create an AWS Lambda function that scans all buckets and enables encryption.
Why it's wrong here
Lambda can remediate but does not prevent new non-compliant buckets.
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: Use an SCP to deny creation of buckets without SSE-KMS and use an AWS Config rule with remediation to enable SSE-KMS on existing buckets. — Option C is correct because an SCP can deny creation of buckets without SSE-KMS, and AWS Config with automatic remediation can enable SSE-KMS on existing buckets. Option A is wrong because S3 default encryption only encrypts new objects, not existing ones. Option B is wrong because SSE-S3 does not meet the KMS requirement. Option D is wrong because a Lambda function is reactive and requires custom code, whereas the combination of SCP and Config provides a more scalable and policy-driven approach.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on SAP-C02
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 is using Amazon S3 to store sensitive data. The security team wants to ensure that all objects are encrypted at rest. The company currently uses server-side encryption with S3 managed keys (SSE-S3). The team wants to enforce encryption using a customer-managed key (CMK) from AWS KMS. Which TWO actions should the team take?
medium- ✓ A.Configure a bucket policy that denies PutObject if the x-amz-server-side-encryption header is not set to 'aws:kms'.
- B.Enable AWS CloudTrail to audit all PutObject requests.
- ✓ C.Enable default encryption on the bucket with AWS KMS (SSE-KMS) as the encryption type.
- D.Configure a bucket policy that allows PutObject only if the object is encrypted.
- E.Disable SSE-S3 on the bucket so that only SSE-KMS can be used.
Why A: Option A (bucket policy denying PutObject without x-amz-server-side-encryption header set to 'aws:kms') enforces that all uploads must specify SSE-KMS at the request level. Option C (default encryption with SSE-KMS) ensures that objects uploaded without encryption headers are automatically encrypted with a KMS key. Together, they enforce encryption with customer-managed KMS keys. Option B (CloudTrail auditing) logs requests but does not enforce encryption. Option D (bucket policy allowing PutObject only if encrypted) allows any encryption type, not specifically KMS, so it does not enforce customer-managed keys. Option E (disabling SSE-S3) is not possible; you cannot disable SSE-S3, only set default encryption, and it would not enforce KMS alone.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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