The answer is the Multipart Upload API bypass, because the SCP only denies the s3:PutObject action when encryption is not set to AES256, but multipart uploads use the s3:UploadPart action instead. Since the SCP does not include s3:UploadPart in its Deny statement, users can upload objects without encryption by splitting the file into parts, effectively sidestepping the policy. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that SCPs are action-specific and that multipart uploads introduce a separate API call not covered by a standard PutObject restriction. A common trap is assuming that all uploads fall under s3:PutObject, but the exam expects you to recognize that the s3:UploadPart action must be explicitly denied to enforce encryption on multipart uploads. Memory tip: "Parts bypass PutObject" — if the policy only blocks PutObject, think of multipart as a separate backdoor.
SAP-C02 Practice Question: Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of design solutions for organizational complexity. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 SCP to an OU. However, users in the OU are still able to upload objects to S3 without encryption. What is the most likely reason?
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
✓
The users are uploading objects using the Multipart Upload API, which uses the s3:UploadPart action.
Option C is correct because the SCP only denies s3:PutObject if the encryption is not AES256. However, if users use s3:PutObject with encryption set to aws:kms, the condition StringNotEquals evaluates to true (since 'AES256' != 'aws:kms'), so the Deny applies. Wait: actually, the condition denies if encryption is NOT AES256, so both 'aws:kms' and no encryption would be denied. But if users use SSE-S3 (AES256), it's allowed. The problem is that users are able to upload without encryption. That means the Deny is not taking effect. The most likely reason is that the SCP is not attached to the OU, or the users are using Multipart Upload (s3:PutObjectPart) which is a different action. Option A is wrong because SSE-C is also not AES256. Option B is wrong because they are not using SSE-S3. Option D is wrong because the SCP does not deny s3:PutObject without encryption? Actually, the condition denies if encryption is not AES256, so it should deny unencrypted uploads. But if users use Multipart Upload, the action is s3:UploadPart, not s3:PutObject. So the SCP does not cover that.
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 users are using SSE-S3 encryption (AES256).
Why it's wrong here
If they use SSE-S3, the header is 'AES256', so it's allowed, but the question says they upload without encryption.
✗
The SCP is missing a Deny for s3:PutObject without any encryption header.
Why it's wrong here
The condition denies if encryption is not AES256, which includes no encryption.
✗
The users are using SSE-C encryption.
Why it's wrong here
SSE-C encryption does not set the s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption header to 'AES256', so it would be denied.
✓
The users are uploading objects using the Multipart Upload API, which uses the s3:UploadPart action.
Why this is correct
The SCP only denies s3:PutObject, not s3:UploadPart.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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: The users are uploading objects using the Multipart Upload API, which uses the s3:UploadPart action. — Option C is correct because the SCP only denies s3:PutObject if the encryption is not AES256. However, if users use s3:PutObject with encryption set to aws:kms, the condition StringNotEquals evaluates to true (since 'AES256' != 'aws:kms'), so the Deny applies. Wait: actually, the condition denies if encryption is NOT AES256, so both 'aws:kms' and no encryption would be denied. But if users use SSE-S3 (AES256), it's allowed. The problem is that users are able to upload without encryption. That means the Deny is not taking effect. The most likely reason is that the SCP is not attached to the OU, or the users are using Multipart Upload (s3:PutObjectPart) which is a different action. Option A is wrong because SSE-C is also not AES256. Option B is wrong because they are not using SSE-S3. Option D is wrong because the SCP does not deny s3:PutObject without encryption? Actually, the condition denies if encryption is not AES256, so it should deny unencrypted uploads. But if users use Multipart Upload, the action is s3:UploadPart, not s3:PutObject. So the SCP does not cover that.
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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