The answer is no, the upload will not succeed. This is because IAM policy evaluation logic dictates that an explicit Deny always overrides any Allow, regardless of other conditions. In this scenario, the first statement denies all S3 actions when SecureTransport is false—meaning any HTTP request is blocked outright—while the second statement allows PutObject only with SSE-S3 encryption, but it does not override the Deny. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of the order of evaluation: default Deny, then explicit Allow, then explicit Deny, with the explicit Deny being final. A common trap is assuming that encryption conditions can bypass a SecureTransport Deny, but they are independent checks. Remember the memory tip: "Deny always wins—even if you encrypt, HTTP is still a sin."
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.
Refer to the exhibit. A solutions architect applies this IAM policy to a user. The user tries to upload an object to my-bucket using an unencrypted HTTP connection with SSE-S3 encryption. Will the upload succeed?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
No, because the Deny statement blocks all HTTP requests regardless of encryption.
Option C is correct. The first statement denies all S3 actions if SecureTransport is false (HTTP), which applies regardless of encryption. The second statement allows PutObject only with SSE-S3, but it is conditional on HTTPS? No, the condition is only on encryption. However, the Deny overrides Allow. Since the request is HTTP, the Deny matches and the request is denied. Option A is wrong because the Deny applies to HTTP. Option B is wrong because the Deny overrides Allow. Option D is wrong because SSE-S3 does not satisfy the SecureTransport condition.
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.
✗
Yes, because the Deny statement only applies to non-encrypted requests.
Why it's wrong here
The Deny applies to all S3 actions via HTTP, regardless of encryption.
✗
Yes, because the request uses SSE-S3 encryption which satisfies the Allow statement.
No, because the Deny statement blocks all HTTP requests regardless of encryption.
Why this is correct
The Deny condition is on SecureTransport false, so any HTTP request is denied.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
No, because the Allow statement requires HTTPS transport.
Why it's wrong here
The Allow does not require HTTPS; it requires SSE-S3. But the Deny blocks HTTP anyway.
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: No, because the Deny statement blocks all HTTP requests regardless of encryption. — Option C is correct. The first statement denies all S3 actions if SecureTransport is false (HTTP), which applies regardless of encryption. The second statement allows PutObject only with SSE-S3, but it is conditional on HTTPS? No, the condition is only on encryption. However, the Deny overrides Allow. Since the request is HTTP, the Deny matches and the request is denied. Option A is wrong because the Deny applies to HTTP. Option B is wrong because the Deny overrides Allow. Option D is wrong because SSE-S3 does not satisfy the SecureTransport condition.
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.
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