The answer is that the request is denied because the explicit Deny statement overrides the Allow when SecureTransport is false. In AWS IAM, an explicit Deny always takes precedence over any Allow, so even though the first statement grants s3:GetObject on the entire bucket, the second statement specifically denies all s3:* actions on the confidential folder when the condition SecureTransport equals false—meaning the request is using HTTP instead of HTTPS. This scenario tests your understanding of IAM policy evaluation logic, particularly how explicit Denies interact with Allow statements and conditions. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this is a classic trap: candidates often overlook that a Deny with a condition will block access regardless of a broader Allow, especially when the condition (like SecureTransport) is only applied to the Deny. A helpful memory tip is “Deny always wins—check the condition on the Deny, not just the Allow.”
SAP-C02 Design for New Solutions Practice Question
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of design for new 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.
Refer to the exhibit. An IAM policy is attached to a user. The user is trying to download an object from the 'confidential' folder in 'my-bucket' using HTTP (not HTTPS). What will happen?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The request is denied because the second statement explicitly denies access when using HTTP.
Option C is correct because the Deny statement explicitly denies s3:* actions on the confidential folder when SecureTransport is false (HTTP). Since the first statement allows GetObject for the whole bucket, but the Deny overrides (explicit deny), the request will be denied. Option A (allowed) ignores the Deny. Option B (denied due to first statement) is wrong because first statement allows. Option D (denied due to IP condition) is wrong because the IP condition is only on the Allow statement.
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.
✗
The request is denied because the second statement denies access from the IP range.
Why it's wrong here
The Deny statement does not have an IP condition.
✗
The request is denied because the first statement only allows from a specific IP range.
Why it's wrong here
The IP condition is on the Allow, but the Deny is unconditional with the HTTP condition.
✓
The request is denied because the second statement explicitly denies access when using HTTP.
Why this is correct
The Deny statement denies all S3 actions on confidential/* when SecureTransport is false.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
The request is allowed because the first statement allows s3:GetObject.
Why it's wrong here
The Deny statement explicitly denies the action under the condition.
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 for New Solutions — This question tests Design for New Solutions — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The request is denied because the second statement explicitly denies access when using HTTP. — Option C is correct because the Deny statement explicitly denies s3:* actions on the confidential folder when SecureTransport is false (HTTP). Since the first statement allows GetObject for the whole bucket, but the Deny overrides (explicit deny), the request will be denied. Option A (allowed) ignores the Deny. Option B (denied due to first statement) is wrong because first statement allows. Option D (denied due to IP condition) is wrong because the IP condition is only on the Allow statement.
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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Question Discussion
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