The answer is the bucket policy’s ACL condition blocking CloudTrail log delivery. This occurs because the policy includes a deny statement that requires the `bucket-owner-full-control` canned ACL on any object written to the bucket, but CloudTrail does not automatically set that ACL when delivering log files—it uses the default ACL, which grants the log-delivery service canonical user access instead. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how S3 bucket policies interact with service-specific write behaviors, often appearing as a subtle trap where you might blame the wrong principal or resource ARN. A common mistake is to overlook that CloudTrail’s default behavior lacks the required ACL, so even with a correct service principal and resource ARN, the condition fails and the request is denied. Memory tip: think “CloudTrail forgets the ACL” to recall that it does not automatically apply `bucket-owner-full-control`.
SAP-C02 Practice Question: Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity
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. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. A company applies this S3 bucket policy to a central logging bucket. CloudTrail trails in multiple accounts are configured to deliver logs to this bucket. Recently, logs stopped being delivered. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
CloudTrail does not automatically set the 'bucket-owner-full-control' ACL when delivering logs.
Option C is correct because the bucket policy requires the ACL to be 'bucket-owner-full-control'. If CloudTrail does not set this ACL, the deny statement will block the write. CloudTrail by default does not set the ACL, so the condition fails and the request is denied. Option A is wrong because the service principal is correct. Option B is wrong because the resource ARN is correct. Option D is wrong because the policy version is fine.
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.
✓
CloudTrail does not automatically set the 'bucket-owner-full-control' ACL when delivering logs.
Why this is correct
The condition requires the ACL, but CloudTrail does not set it, causing denial.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
The Principal element uses 'cloudtrail.amazonaws.com' which is not the correct service principal.
Why it's wrong here
It is the correct service principal.
✗
The Resource ARN does not include the account ID, so it matches all accounts.
Why it's wrong here
The resource ARN is correct for the prefix.
✗
The policy uses 'Deny' which is not allowed in S3 bucket policies.
Why it's wrong here
Deny is allowed in bucket policies.
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 Solutions for Organizational Complexity — This question tests Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: CloudTrail does not automatically set the 'bucket-owner-full-control' ACL when delivering logs. — Option C is correct because the bucket policy requires the ACL to be 'bucket-owner-full-control'. If CloudTrail does not set this ACL, the deny statement will block the write. CloudTrail by default does not set the ACL, so the condition fails and the request is denied. Option A is wrong because the service principal is correct. Option B is wrong because the resource ARN is correct. Option D is wrong because the policy version is fine.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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